Water
The Cheney Water Division is responsible for operating and maintaining the City's potable water production, distribution, and storage facilities.
The Washington State Board of Health (SBOH) recently adopted a rule that requires our water system to test for a new class of contaminants, per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), not currently regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
On October 7, 2021 the City of Cheney collected samples for per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from City Wells. Well 5 was the only well that PFAS was detected. A second set of samples taken from the well on December 6, 2021 confirmed the initial test results. Detected levels of PFAS in well 5 samples are low. As shown below, 4 of the 5 PFAS detections are below the state advisory levels. Well 5 is a seasonal well that provides water during the summer to meet higher demand. This well will remain out of service while we work with our partners to manage PFAS levels at the well.
Drinking water samples collected from: City of Cheney Water System, ID#12400 N, Spokane County, Well 5 (S05) on October 07, 2021 included detections of the following PFAS contaminants. PFOS was detected above a State Action Level (SAL):
PFAS contaminate | Well # 5 Detected Level (ppt) | State Advisory Level SAL (ppt) | EPA Health Advisory Level HAL (ppt) |
PFOA - perfluorooctanoic acid | 7.96 | 10 | PFOA+PFOS (70ppt) |
PFOS - perfluorooctane sulfonic acid | 34.6 | 15 | PFOA+PFOS (70ppt) |
PFHxS - perfluorohexane sulfonic acid | 23 | 65 | |
PFNA - perfluorononanoic acid | 0 | 9 | |
PFBS - perfluorobutane sulfonic acid | 6.54 | 345 |
ppt - parts per trillion or nanograms per liter.
The federal health advisory level (HAL) is 70 ppt for PFOA+PFOS. The combined PFAS+PFOS level in Well 5 is 42.56 ppt, well below of the federal HAL.
Although the levels detected at Well 5 are very low, it is nonetheless the City's responsibility and duty to notify our water customers of the testing requirements and results.
Note: Well 5 has been out of service since September 10, 2021, prior to the PFAS sampling. Before Well 5 is placed back in-service, our customers will be notified in a timely manner with an opportunity to comment.
What should you do? There is nothing required of you at this time.
What are the potential health effects? There are many different PFAS and we are still learning about their health effects in people.
PFOS - Some people who drink water containing PFOS in excess of the SAL over many years may experience problems with their cholesterol, liver, thyroid, kidney, or immune systems; or have children with lower birthweights.
Further information on PFAS can be found on the state's DOH website, and Spokane Regional Health District website to help you become an informed citizen and participate in any local decisions.
Department of Health PFAS information can be found here.
Spokane Regional Health District PFAS information can be found here.
- PFOS Public Notice
- PFAS Fact Sheet
- Well 5 PFAS Timeline
- Analytical Results Report 2021
- Analytical Results Report 2022
About the Production Facility
Production facilities consist primarily of 8 active ground water wells that collectively can produce approximately 3,000 gallons per minute or 4.3 million gallons a day. The pumped potable water travels through an approximate 40-mile network of distribution mains ranging in size from 2 inches to 16 inches in diameter.
In addition to the distribution mains, there are also 3 booster stations that distribute water to the 2 high-pressure zones encompassing the City's water system.
2018 Water System Plan Update -Approved in 2020
The Washington State Department of Health approved the City of Cheney's Water System Plan Update on January 27, 2020. This plan will be in effect for the next six years.- 2018 Water System Plan Update (Approved 2020)
- Appendix A Water Facilities Inventory
- Appendix B Cheney Municipal Code Title 16
- Appendix C Cheney/EWU Intertie Agreement
- Appendix D Local Government
Consistency Determination Forms - Appendix E Field Measurements vs.
Hydraulic Model Results - Appendix F Fire Marshall Concurrence Letter
- Appendix G Hydraulic Modeling Results
- Appendix H City Water Quality Records and Consumer Confidence Reports
- Appendix I Water Reclamation Study
- Appendix J Water Rights Evaluation
- Appendix K Wellhead Protection Plan
- Appendix L Coliform Monitoring Plan including
Sampling Locations Map - Appendix M DOH Sanitary Survey Findings and
City of Cheney Response Letter - Appendix N Cross-Connection Control Program and
Backflow Prevention Ordinance - Appendix O Emergency Response Plan
- Appendix P Cheney Design Standards for Water
- Appendix Q Cheney Standard Details for Water
- Appendix R Expenditures, CIP Costs, Revenue
and Rates, and CIP Cost Estimates - Appendix S Water Use Efficiency
Public Meeting Documentation - Appendix T Water Use Efficiency Annual
Performance Reports - Appendix U State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
Determination of Non-Significance - Appendix V City of Cheney Council
Meeting Minutes - Indicating WSP Adoption - Appendix W Cross-Connection Control Certifications
and 2015–2018 Annual Summary Reports - Appendix X Water Quality Sampling
Procedures and Program - Appendix Y Restrictive Covenants for Groundwater
Wells 1 & 2, 3R, 5, 6, 7, and 8 - Appendix Z Water Meter Replacement Program
- Appendix Z-1 List of Potential Groundwater Contamination. Sources in Wellhead Protection Boundaries, Map of Contaminant Time of Travel at City
Sources, and Sample Notification Letter
- 2018 Water Conservation Plan
- Appendix A - Technical Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
- Appendix B - Conservation Measure Details
- Appendix C1 - Conservation Informational Brochures
- Appendix C2 - Conservation Public Virtual Open House Tour
- Appendix C3 - Conservation Survey and Results
- Appendix D - IWAC Model Efficient Irrigation & Landscape Design Standards
- Appendix E - Spokanescape Guidebook
- Appendix F - Reclaimed Water Map Phases 1-4
- Appendix G - 2007 Cheney Groundwater Modeling Report
Useful Links
- City of Cheney Consumer Confidence Report for Drinking Water Quality 2021
- Washington State Department of Health Office of Drinking Water
- Washington State Department of Ecology
- Backflow Test Report
- Certified Backflow Testers Approved to Test in Cheney
- The Cheney Water System and Understanding Discolored Water
- "Fixing Discolored Water: A How To Video"
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Todd Ableman
Public Works Director
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Public Works
Physical Address
112 Anderson Road
Cheney, WA 99004
Phone: (509) 498-9293
Hours
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Recycling Center Hours
Tuesday - Friday
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Saturday
8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Additional Closed Days:
November 26, 2022
May 27, 2023
September 2, 2023
November 25, 2023
May 25, 2024