GLADSTONE — Tap water in the city of Gladstone was found to meet all state and federal health standards in 2017, Gladstone Water Treatment Plant Operator Rob Spreitzer said in a presentation to the Gladstone City Commission. He spoke during the commission’s regular meeting Monday.

Spreitzer’s presentation focused on Gladstone’s 2017 Annual Water Quality Report. He said the city water department is legally required to prepare a water quality report each year.

“It’s pretty much an explanation of how the city’s drinking water is treated and a list of the chemicals that we monitor for,” he said of the report.

One well-known contaminant of water is lead, Spreitzer said.

“Our lead and copper levels are well below the limits,” he said, noting the water department’s long-held practice of replacing any lead service lines they come across has helped to keep lead levels in the city’s water supply low. The addition of orthophosphate to Gladstone’s water supply has prevented lead and copper from leaching into drinking water, as well.

According to Spreitzer, there has been discussion of lowering the current “action level” (a term defined in the report as “the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements a water system must follow”) for lead from 15 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb.

“Currently, we have no issues (meeting) that level,” he said. Lead levels in Gladstone’s water supply were measured at an average of 2.5 ppb between January and June of 2016, with detections ranging from zero to 4.6 ppb.

The water department has also been helped by the recent addition of granular activated carbon to the city’s water filters.

“Although expensive, it’s been worth it,” Spreitzer said. This takes out particles and organic compounds from the city’s water.

To read the City of Gladstone Water Department’s full water quality report for 2017, visit www.gladstonemi.org/Water%20Report%202017.pdf.

In other business, the commission:

– heard from City Manager Darcy Long about the current state of various projects in the city. These included a delayed trailhead project, chipsealing expected to begin on over five miles of city roads in early July, and a roof repair that has recently been completed at the Gladstone Public Safety Department building. Long spoke about these projects during his report to the commission.

“Things are happening and getting done,” he said.

– approved a permit and invoice from Spielbauer Fireworks Co., Inc. of Green Bay for Gladstone’s Independence Day fireworks display.

– approved a Fernwood Cemetery lot transfer from Larry Bunno to Bonnie and Steve Janchenko.

– approved a re-zoning request for 119, 120, and 121 South Court Road.

– heard about a town hall meeting the Gladstone Housing Commission will hold next week. At this meeting, which will take place on June 19 at 6 p.m. at the Gladstone Sports Park, the housing commission will hear input from members of the community on future affordable senior housing in Gladstone.

– presented two $500 scholarships from WPPI Energy through the city to Chasey Maulding-Williams and Holly Van Brocklin. The scholarships are awarded annually.

– presented a certificate of appreciation to Water/Wastewater Superintendent Eric Buckman for his 32 years of service to the city. Buckman will officially retire this month.