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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