Newspaper Page Text
The Lee County Ledger, Thursday, July 5,2001 - Page 5B
Lee County Utilities Authority
Lee County Water System
2000 How Safe is Our Water?
Lee County Utilities Authority is proud of the fine drinking water it provides. This annual quality
report shows the sources of our water, lists the results of our test, and contains much important infor
mation about water and health. Lee County Utilities Authority will notify you immediately if there is
any reason for concern about our water. We are happy to show you how we have surpassed water-
quality standards.
Is our water safe to drink? Absolutely. Lee County Utilities Authority has never
had a violation of contaminant levels or other water quality regulations.
More information is available an the World Wide Web at http://www.waterdata.com.
Overview
During 2000 the Authority continued to consolidate several small independent community water sys
tems into three (3) larger water systems. This action reduced operating costs, helped provide adequate
fire protection, and enhanced service. A bond issuance was completed to finance the purchase of the
Canuga/AGUNAC water and sewer system; and continued construction of water system improve
ments.
Water Service
The Authority draws its water from three different aquifers. They are the Clayton, Upper Floridian and
the Lower Floridian. The Authority used ten (10) wells located throughout the southern end of the
county and supplies an average of 2 million gallons of water per day to our customers.
A Source-Water Assessment has been performed for our area to provide baseline data about the quality
of water before it is treated and distributed to customers. This is important because it defines the
origins of contaminants within our ares and indicates the susceptibility of our water system to such
contaminants. To complete your understanding of our water supply request a copy from the Georgia
Environmental Protection Division.
How to Read This Table
The table shows the results of our water-quality analyses. Every regulated contaminant that we de
tected in the water, even in the most minute traces, is listed here. The table contains the name of each
substance, the highest level allowed by regulation (MCL), the ideal goals for public health, the amount
detected, the usual sources of such contamination, footnotes explaining our findings, and a key to units
of measurement. Destinations of MCL and MCLG are important.
Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking
water. MCLs are set close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below
there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Key to Table
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level ppm = parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/1)
MCLG = Maximum Contaminant Level Goal ppb = parts billion, or micrograms per liter (p/1)
Contaminant Date Unit MCL MCLG Detected Range Major Violation
Tested Level Sources
Inorganic
Contaminant
Lead
2000
ppb
1.5
0
3.0
0-6.1
Corrosion of household plumbing;
Erosion of natural deposits
No
Cooper
2000
ppm
1.3
1.3
.30
0-.34
Corrosion of household plumbing
systems; Erosion of natural deposits;
Leaching from wood preservatives
No
Regulated and Unregulated Contaminants
Although we ran many tests, no contaminants were found. The Environmental Protection Division of
Georgia tests for Radon during water surveys.
Required Additional Health Information
To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPD prescribes limits on the amount of certain contaminants
in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled
water.
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 potential health effects can be obtained by
calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
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 radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting
from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source
water include:
(A) Microbial contaminants: such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewerage
treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife,
(B) Inorganic contaminants, such as sales and metal, which can be natural naturally-occurring or
results from urban storm runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas
production, mining, or farming.
(C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of source such as agriculture,
stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
(D) Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organics, which are by
products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas
stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems.
(E) Radioactive contaminants, which can be natural naturally-occuring or be the result of oil and
gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA
prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water by provided by
public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water must
provide the same protection for public health.
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than is the general population.
Immune-compromised persons such is persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who
have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some
elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about
drinking water from their health care providers, EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen
the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-
426-4791).
National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Compliance
Other Monitoring
In addition to testing we are required to perform, our water system voluntarily tests for hundreds of
additional substances and microscopic organisms to make certain our water is safe and of high quality.
If you are interested in a more detailed report, contact Chris Boswell.
Also, the Authority expresses thanks to all customers for their efforts to conserve water during this
drought. Your efforts have made the difference. Please continue to look for further notices that will
provide information and guidance. The Authority’s ability to provide the best quality drinking water is
in great shape and has not been affected by the drought.
We’ll be happy to answer any questions about Lee County Utilities Authority and our water quality.
Call Dawn at (912) 759-6056. Water Quality Data for community water systems throughout the United
States is available at www.waterdata.com.
Lee County Utilities Authority
Southeast Lee County Water System
2000 How Safe is Our Water?
Lee County Utilities Authority is proud of the fine drinking water it provides. This annual quality
report shows the sources of our water, lists the results of our test, and contains much important infor
mation about water and health. Lee County Utilities Authority will notify you immediately if there is
any reason for concern about our water. We are happy to show you how we have surpassed water-
quality standards.
Is our water safe to drink? Absolutely. Lee County Utilities Authority has never
had a violation of contaminant levels or other water quality regulations.
More information is available an the World Wide Web at http://www.waterdata.com.
Overview
During 2000 the Authority continued to consolidate several small independent community water sys
tems into three (3) larger water systems. This action reduced operating costs, helped provide adequate
fire protection, and enhanced service. A bond issuance was completed to finance the purchase of the
Canuga/AGUNAC water and sewer system: and continued construction of water system improve
ments.
Water Service
The Authority draws its water from three different aquifers. They are the Clayton, Upper Floridian and
the Lower Floridian. The Authority used ten (10) wells located throughout the southern end of the
county and supplies an average of 2 million gallons of water per day to our customers.
A Source-Water Assessment has been performed for our area to provide baseline data about the quality
of water before it is treated and distributed to customers. This is important because it defines the
origins of contaminants within our ares and indicates the susceptibility of our water system to such
contaminants. To complete your understanding of our water supply request a copy from the Georgia
Environmental Protection Division.
How to Read This Table
The table shows the results of our water-quality analyses. Every regulated contaminant that we de
tected in the water, even in the most minute traces, is listed here. The table contains the name of each
substance, the highest level allowed by regulation (MCL), the ideal goals for public health, the amount
detected, the usual sources of such contamination, footnotes explaining our findings, and a key to units
of measurement. Destinations of MCL and MCLG are important.
Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking
water. MCLs are set close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below
there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Key to Table
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level ppm = parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/1)
MCLG = Maximum Contaminant Level Goal ppb = parts billion, or micrograms per liter (p/1)
Contaminant Date Unit MCL MCLG Detected Range Major Violation
Tested Level Sources
Inorganic
Contaminant
Lead
2000
ppb
1.5
0
3.9
0-6.1
Corrosion of household plumbing;
Erosion of natural deposits
No
Cooper
2000
ppm
1.3
1.3
.33
0-.34
Corrosion of household plumbing
systems; Erosion of natural deposits:
Leaching from wood preservatives
No
Regulated and Unregulated Contaminants
Although we ran many tests, no contaminants were found. The Environmental Protection Division of
Georgia tests for Radon during water surveys.
Required Additional Health Information
To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPD prescribes limits on the amount of certain contaminants
in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled
water.
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 potential health effects can be obtained by
calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
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 radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting
from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source
water include:
(A) Microbial contaminants: such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewerage
treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
(B) Inorganic contaminants, such as sales and metal, which can be natural naturally-occurring or
results from urban storm runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas
production, mining, or farming.
(C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of source such as agriculture,
stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
(D) Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organics, which are by
products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas
stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems.
(E) Radioactive contaminants, which can be natural naturally-occuring or be the result of oil and
gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA
prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water by provided by
public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water must
provide the same protection for public health.
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than is the general population.
Immune-compromised persons such is persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who
have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some
elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about
drinking water from their health care providers, EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen
the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-
426-4791).
National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Compliance
Other Monitoring
In addition to testing we are required to perform, our water system voluntarily tests for hundreds of
additional substances and microscopic organisms to make certain our water is safe and of high quality.
If you are interested in a more detailed report, contact Chris Boswell.
Also, the Authority expresses thanks to all customers for their efforts to conserve water during this
drought. Your efforts have made the difference. Please continue to look for further notices that will
provide information and guidance. The Authority’s ability to provide the best quality drinking water is
in great shape and has not been affected by the drought.
We’ll be happy to answer any questions about Lee County Utilities Authority and our water quality.
Call Dawn at (912) 759-6056. Water Quality Data for community water systems throughout the United
States is available at www.waterdata.com.
Participants Graduate From Leadership Skills Program at Darton College
Twenty-five people from south
west Georgia recently graduated
from the Leadership Skills and
Development Program at Darton
College.
The program, funded by a grant
from the Regional Economic De
velopment Partnership, provides
leadership training for individu
als selected by area chambers of
commerce.
The participants met at Darton
once a month for a five-month
period.
Maggie Cox, Frank Griffin,
Randy Dowling, and Christi
Dockery were among those
graduating from the course.
.w». (MEsMifftI
FOR BREAKFAST