Newspaper Page Text
WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018
BARROW NEWS-JOURNAL
PAGE 5B
CITY OF AUBURN ~ WATER QUALITY REPORT
The following water quality report is presented to the citizens of the City of Auburn using information provided by the Barrow County water
and sewerage authority and from Gwinnett County water authority, also from testing in and around the City of Auburn. Should you have any
questions regarding the information in this report, you may contact Elbert Blackstock, Auburn's public water licensed operator at (770)963-
4002. This report details information on our water system for the calendar year of 2017, January 1st to December 31st During the calendar year
of 2017 the City of Auburn purchased 100% of our drinking water from Barrow County Water and sewer Authority (BCWSA). We have the
ability to purchase water from Gwinnett County if needed.
WHERE DOES MY WATER COME FROM?
The BCWSA purchased all of its drinking water from the Upper Oconee Basin Water
Authority. The water supply sources for the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority are
Bear Creek and the Middle Oconee River.
of our water suppliers are in full compliance with the comprehensive Source Wa
ter Assessment Programs (SWAP). You can access detailed information of the plans
on the Georgia Regional Development Center's website, http:/ /www.negrdc.org/
swap / index.html.
NOTES ABOUT CONTAMINANTS
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers,
lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface
of the land or through the ground it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals (and in
some cases radioactive material). This same traveling water can pick up substances
resulting from the presence of animals or human activity.
Contaminants that may be present in source water include the following:
• Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from
sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wild
life.
• Inorganic contaminants, such as salt and metals, which can be naturally occur
ring or result from urban storm runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges,
oil and gas production, mining or farming.
• Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as
agriculture, urban storm water runoff and residential uses.
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile chemicals
(which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production) can also
come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff and septic systems.
• Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the results of
oil and gas production and mining activities.
• Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL
over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central ner
vous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. In order to insure
that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of
certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Ad
ministration regulations established limits for contaminants in bottled water, which
must provide the same protection for public health.
CONTAMINANTS AND HEALTH RISK
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for
pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from ma
terials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Barrow
County Water and Sewerage Authority is responsible for providing high quality
drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing com
ponents. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the
potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before
using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your wa
ter, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water,
testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the
Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http:/ / www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. Drinking
water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small
amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily
indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and po
tential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline
(1-800-426-4791).
IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the
general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer un
dergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with
HIV / AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly persons and infants can
be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drink
ing water from their health care providers. EPA / CDC guidelines on appropriate
means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contam
inants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
WHAT IS CRYPTOSPORIDIUM?
Cryptosporidium (Crypto) is a one-celled parasite protozoan, which is often found in
water sources that receive runoff from animal waste. Crypto can infect humans and
have severe impacts on certain people including organ transplant recipients, immu
no-compromised persons, young children and persons undergoing cancer treatment.
Under the U.S. EPA's Information Collection Rule, quarterly samples have been col
lected from the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority's raw and treated water and
analyzed. Crypto has not been detected in neither source water or drinking water.
Samples have been analyzed for over five years and Crypto has never been detected.
READING THE RESULTS - Definitions of Terms and Abbreviations Used in the
Report
AL Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminate which if exceeded, triggers
treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
MCL Maximum Contaminate Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is
allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the
best available treatment technology.
MCLG Maximum Contaminate Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in
drinking water below, which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs
allow for a margin of safety.
m/L Milliliter: A milliliter is one thousandth of a liter. One liter is equal to slightly
more than a quart.
n/a Not applicable.
nd Not detectable at testing limit.
NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): A measure of suspended material in wa
ter.
ppm A part per Million means one part per 1,000,000 (same as milligrams per liter)
and corresponds to 1 minute in 2 years, or 1 penny in $10,000.
ppb A part per Billion means one part per 1,000,000,000 (same as micrograms per
liter) and corresponds to 1 minute in 2,000, or 1 penny in $10,000,000.
TT Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a
contaminant in drinking water.
Turbidity Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water.
(a) Water from a treatment plant does not contain lead or copper. However, based
upon the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) testing requirements,
water is tested at the tap. These test show that where a customer may have lead or
lead soldered copper pipes, the water is not corrosive. This means the amount of lead
or copper absorbed by the water is limited to safe levels.
(b) Fluoride is added in treatment to bring the natural levels to the EPA Optimum of
1 part per million. This optimum concentration promotes strong teeth.
(c) The EPD requires that no single reading for turbidity exceed 2 NTUs.
(d) The EPD requires that no more than 5% of all readings exceed 0.5 NTU.
> Greater than.
< Less than,
ne Not Established.
WATER QUALITY DATA
The following tables list all the drinking water contaminants that we detected during
the 2017 calendar year. The presence of these contaminants in the water does not nec
essarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. Unless otherwise noted, the data
presented in these tables is from testing done Jauary 1-December 31,2017.
IS OUR WATER SYSTEM MEETING OTHER RULES THAT GOVERN OUR OP
ERATIONS?
EPD and EPA require us to test our water on a regular basis to ensure its safety. During
2016, we submitted monthly water samples for bacteriological analysis in accordance
with our Operating Permit. All samples tested satisfactory.
The 1996 Amendments to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA,) brought
about a new approach for either past strengths of the Surface Water Treatment Rule,
expansion of water monitoring, and other compliance measures, the EPA advocates
prevention of contamination as an important tool in the protection of public water
supplies. Georgia's EPD mission is to develop a source water assessment plan for
each public water system to help protect the sources ensuring quality drinking water
that meets all state and federal regulations and to assist the promotion and imple
mentations of the protection plans. Barrow County is pleased to inform you that all
The City of Auburn
The Chlorine detectable residual .87 ppm average.
Substance Units MCL MCLG System Violations Source of Substance
Results (YES/NO)
Fluoride ppm 4.0 4.0 detectable residual .76 ppm average no mcl violations. Water
additive that promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories
Average P.H 7.28
Turbidity NTU <.30 NTU in 95% of N / A Average turbidity 0.09 ntu NO mcl violations
100% Soil Runoff
Samples/ month
Substance Units MCL Violation Amount Source of Substance
(YES/NO) Detected
Total Trihalomethanes ppb 80 detectable level 21.20 NO mcl violations.
By-product of drinking
Water chlorination.
Total Haloacetic Acids ppb 60 detectable level 10.11 no mcl violations
By-product of drinking water chlorination.
Chloroform ppb N/A 57.52 ppb NO mcl violation
By-product of drinking water chlorination.
MICROBIOLOGICAL
The mcl is 1 per month in 2017 the city of Auburn had no positive for bacteria sam
ples. Naturally present in the environment.
Barrow County Water Authority
DETECTED CONTAMINANTS TABLE 2017
Highss! " 01 Violation}
SubsianccUiuls MCL MCLG Level Samples [YESfliPJ Sgurcs.Qf.SttbaaiKS
Co /L 1 -3 0.093 30 NO Corrosion of household plumbing system’. Erosion of natural deposits:
Leaching from wood preservatives.
Lead mg/L 0.015 0.0 0.00059 30 NO Corrosion of household
plumbing system.
UNREGULATED VOLATILE ORGANIC SUBSTANCES
Amount Violations
Units MCLMCLG Detected (YES/NO) Source Of Substance
Brotnodicliloipnuctlianc
ppb
N/A
N/A
5.1
NO
By-product of drinking water chlorination
Chlorofoml
ppb
N/A
N/A
34
NO
By-product of drinking water chlorination
Chlorodibrmnomcthanc
ppb
N/A
N/A
1.1
NO
By-product of drinking water chlorination
Substanc
Substance Units
Fluoride
ppm
Nitratc/Nitritc
ppm
Substance
PRIMARY INORGANIC SUBSTANCE
Amount Violations
MCL MCLG Detected (YES/NO) Source Of Substance
4.0 4.0 0.75 NO Erosion of natural deposits, water
additive that pronlOtes strong teeth; discharge
from fertilizer and aluminum factories.
10.0 10.0 0.14 NO Run ofT from fertilizer use: Leaching from septic tanks, sewage: Erosion
of natural deposits
DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS
Amount Violations
Units Detected (YES/NO)Sourcc Of Substance
ppb
Gwinnett County Drinking Water Quality Data 2017
EPA Re
gulated Inorf
anlc Substances or Contaminants
Substance
(Unit)
Analysis
Frequency
MCL
MCLG
Average
Range
Major Sources
Violation
Fluoride*
(ppm)
Daily
4
4
0.75
0.63-
0.85
Erosion of natural deposits;
water additive which promotes
strong teeth
No
Nitrate/Nitrite 2
(ppm)
Annually
10
10
0.545
0.44-
0.65
Runoff from fertilizer use;
leaching from septic
tanks;erosion of natural deposits
No
1 Fluoride is added to water to help promote dental health in children.
'Nitrate and Nitrite are measured together
Gwinnett County Water Distribution System - Lead and Copper Levels at Residential Taps
Substance
(Unit)
Action
Level 90%
90th Percentile
sample result
Number of sites
exceeding Action
Level (AL)
Major Sources
Violation
Lead 1
(ppb)
IS
1.1
1
Corrosion of household
plumbing systems
No
Copper 4
(ppm)
1.3
0.16
0
Corrosion of household
plumbing systems
No
Gwinnett is required to test a minimum of SO homes for lead and copper every three years. The last testing occurred in 2017, and the next
texting will take place in 2020. Compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule is based on obtaining the 90th percentile of the total number of
samples collected and comparing it against the lead and copper action levels. To have an exceedance, the 90th percentile value must be
greater than 15 ppb for lead or 1.3 ppm for copper.
*Of the 50 homes tested in 2017, one site exceeded the action level (AL) for lead.
4 0f the SO homes tested in 2017, no sites exceeded the action level (AL) for copper.
Disinfection By-Products, By-Product Precursors and Disinfectant Residuals
Substance
(Unit)
Analysis
Frequency
MCL
(LRAA)
MCLG
(LRAA)
Highest
Detected
LRAA 5
Range
Major Sources
Violation
TTHMs (Total
Trihalomethanes)
(ppb)- Stage 2
Quarterly
80
0
60.1
9.5-60.1
By-products of drinking water
disinfection
No
HAASs
(Haloacetic
Acids) (ppb) -
Stage 2
Quarterly
60
0
32
8.525-
32.0
By-products of drinking water
disinfection
No
TOC (Total
Organic Carbon)
(ppm)
Monthly
TT
N/A
1.17
0.89-1.5
Decay of naturally-occurring
organic matter in the water
withdrawn from sources such as
lakes and streams
N//
Chlorine
(ppm)
Monthly
MRDL=4
MRDLG=4
2.15
0.58-
2.15
Drinking Water Disinfectant
Nc
Bromate
(ppb)
Monthly
10
0
<5.0
<5.0-6.1
By-product of drinking water
disinfection utilizing ozone
Nc
S LRAA« Locational Running Annual Average
Turbidity
Substance
(Unit)
Analysis
Frequency
MCL
MCLG
Highest
value
reported
Lowest
% of
samples
meeting
limit
Major Sources
Violation
Turbidity (NTU)
Continuous
TT, <0.3
in 95% of
monthly
samples
0
0.17
100
Soil Runoff
Nc
Note: Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. It monitored because it is a good indicator of water quality. Highurbidity
can hinder the effectiveness of disinfectants.
Microbiogical Contaminants
Substance
(Unit)
Analysis
Frequency
MCL
MCLG
Highest %
positve
samples
(monthly)
Range
Major Sources
Violation
Total Coliform
Bacteria 6
(♦/-)
Monthly
<5%
positive
samples
(monthly)
0
0.364%.
0-
0.364%.
Naturally present in the
environment
Nc
6 270 samples taken monthly
samples/month
MICROBIOLOGICAL
# of S stem Violation Substance MCL MCLG
Positive Results (YES/NOI
Total Coliform Bacteria O 0
NO
Source in Drinkim! Water Naturally present in thienvironment.