Water Quality

Taste, Odor, Hardness

In early 2013, the city of Longview switched their source of water from the Cowlitz River to a well system. The new source water is safe to drink, but it has different minerals and properties that have raised concerns among those receiving the water. Some people have reported a different odor to the water and many have noticed the hardness of the water (white deposits, etc.).

The following links to the city website answer some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and the City will be updating information related to addressing these concerns.

Lead

A survey was conducted by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) in 2016 through 2017 to identify lead lines in public water systems. Additional information about lead and the results of the survey can be found on the DOH website.

Based on the best information available, Beacon Hill Water and Sewer District (BHWSD) does not have lead service lines. Under DOH guidelines, BHWSD performs routine tests for lead and copper in the distribution system and have found the results to be below the regulatory action level.

Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Below are links to information from the Washington State Department of Health on the process of drafting rule updates of PFAS requirements for Group A public water suppliers. While some water systems in the state have had problems with PFAS in their drinking water, testing performed in 2013 and 2014 on the water supply for Longview and Beacon Hill showed a “non-detect” for PFAS in our water.

Additional testing was required by the EPA in determining what future testing or treatment may be required for our water system.  This is called the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule #5 (UCMR5).  We tested in August 2023 and will test again in February 2024.  All of the test results in August 2023 showed a “non-detect” for PFAS in our water. Here is a link to the test results:

Other PFAS Links: