Newspaper Page Text
Page 6B, The Lee County Ledger, Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Lee County Board of Commissioners
Lee County Criminal Justice Center
2007 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 information 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. The
Authority contracts with the Georgia Environment Protection Division (EPD), Drinking
Water Program, for laboratory and related services consistent with the Authority’s need
to comply with the requirements of the National Drinking Water Regulations. (Copies of
contracts are available for viewing in the Utilities Authority Office located at 111 Main
Street, Leesburg, Georgia).
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 on the World Wide Web at http://www.waterdata.com
Water Service
The Authority draws its water from two different aquifers. They are the Upper Floridian
and Lower Floridian. A Source-Water Assessment has been performed for our area to
provide baseline data about the quality origins of contaminants within our areas. This
assessment 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 below lists all of the drinking water contaminants that we detected during
calendar year 2007. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that
water poses a health risk. Unless otherwise noted, the data presented in this table is from
testing done during calendar year 2007. The EPA of the State requires us to monitor for
certain contaminants less than once per year because these contaminants do not change
frequently. If a contaminant exceeds a trigger level more sampling and analysis will be
performed to in sure safety.
Terms & Abbreviations used below:
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking
water below, which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG allow for a
margin of safety.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of contaminant that is
allowed in water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best
available treatment technology.
Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, when exceeded, triggers
treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
N/A: Not applicable
ND: Not detectable at testing limit
ppb: parts per billion or micro grams per liter
ppm: parts per million or milligrams per liter
Contaminant
MCLG
MCL
Major Source
Violation
Total Coliform
(# Positive Samples)
0
1
Naturally present in the
environment.
NO
Total Organic Carbon
(TOC)
TT
TT
Composed primarily of non
specific humic materials
NO
Inorganic
0
AL—15
Corrosion of piping system:
erosion of natural deposits
NO
Lead (ppb)
Copper (ppm)
Chlorine (ppm)
1.3
4
AL=1.3
4
Water additive to control
microbes
NO
NO
Unregulated
Contaminants
Nitrates (ppm)
10
10
Found in Fertilizers
NO
TTHM
(Total Trihalomethanes)
0
80
(Annual
Avg.)
By-product of organics in
drinking water and the chlorine
disinfectant.
NO
HAA5
(Haloacetic Acids)
0
60
(Annual
Avg.)
By-product of drinking water
chlorination
NO
cis-1,2-
Dichloroethylene
70
70
Discharge from industrial
chemical factories
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 establishes 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 environmental Protection Agency’s
Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). The sources of drinking water (tap and
bottled) 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 human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
(A) Microbial contaminants: such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from
sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operation, and
wildlife
(B) Inorganic contaminants, such as sales and metal, which can be 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 sources such as
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 naturally occurring or be the result
of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap
water is safe to drink the EPA establishes regulations, which limits the
amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.
FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water and must
provide the same protection for public health.
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than others in
the general population. Immune-compromised persons such as: individuals with cancer
undergoing chemotherapy, individuals who have undergone organ transplants,
individuals with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants
can be particularly at risk from infections, These individuals should seek advice about
drinking water from their health care providers. The EPA and CDC provide guidelines on
appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and are available
from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Compliance
Other Monitoring
In addition to the referenced testing, staff members are required to monitor the chlorine
residual in the finished water daily. If you are interested in a more detailed report,
contact Chris Boswell, General Manager (229) 759-6056.
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 good standing and has not been affected by
the drought.
We will be happy to answer any questions about Lee County Utilities Authority and our
water quality please contact Tricia Quinn at (229) 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
2007 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 information 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. The
Authority contracts with the Georgia Environment Protection Division (EPD), Drinking
Water Program, for laboratory and related services consistent with the Authority’s need
to comply with the requirements of the National Drinking Water Regulations. (Copies of
contracts are available for viewing in the Utilities Authority Office located at 111 Main
Street, Leesburg, Georgia).
Is our water safe to drink? Absolutely.
More information is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.waterdata.com
Water Service
The Authority draws its water from three different aquifers. They are Clayton, Upper
Floridian and Lower Floridian. The Authority used (10) ten wells located throughout the
southern end of the county and supplies an average of 2.5 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 origins of contaminants within our areas. This
assessment 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 below lists all of the drinking water contaminants that we detected during
calendar year 2007. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that
water poses a health risk. Unless otherwise noted, the data presented in this table is from
testing done during calendar year 2007. The EPA of the State requires us to monitor for
certain contaminants less than once per year because these contaminants do not change
frequently. If a contaminant exceeds a trigger level more sampling and analysis will be
performed to in sure safety.
Terms & Abbreviations used below:
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking
water below, which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG allow for a
margin of safety.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of contaminant that is
allowed in water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best
available treatment technology.
Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, when exceeded, triggers
treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
N/A: Not applicable
ND: Not detectable at testing limit
ppb: parts per billion or micrograms per liter
ppm: parts per million or milligrams per liter
TT: Treatment Technique
Contaminant
MCLG
MCL
Major Source
Violation
Total Coliform
(# Positive Samples)
0
1
Naturally present in the
environment.
NO
Total Organic Carbon
TT
TT
Composed primarily of non-
NO
(TOC)
specific humic materials
Inorganic
Corrosion of piping system:
Lead(ppb)
0
AL=15
erosion of natural deposits
NO
1.3
AL=1.3
Water additive to control
NO
Copper (ppm)
Chlorine
4
4
microbes
NO
Unregulated
Contaminants
10
10
Found in Fertilizers
NO
Nitrates (ppm)
TTHM
0
80
By-product of organics in
NO
(Total Trihalomethanes)
(Annual
Avg.)
drinking water and the chlorine
disinfectant.
HAA5
(Haloacetic Acids)
0
60
(Annual
Avg.)
By-product of drinking water
chlorination
NO
cis-1,2-
70
70
Discharge from industrial
NO
Dichloroethylene
chemical factories
Regulated and Unregulated Contaminants
The Environmental Protection Division of Georgia tests for Radon during water surveys.
The Authority is contracted with the Environmental Protection Division of Georgia to
analysis it’s water samples for regulated and unregulated contaminants.
Required Additional Health Information
To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPD establishes 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 environmental Protection Agency’s
Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). The sources of drinking water (tap and
bottled) 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 human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
(A) Microbial contaminants: such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from
sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operation, and
wildlife
(B) Inorganic contaminants, such as sales and metal, which can be 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 sources such as
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 naturally occurring or be the result
of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap
water is safe to drink the EPA establishes regulations, which limits the
amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.
FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water and must
provide the same protection for public health.
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than others in
the general population. Immune-compromised persons such as: individuals with cancer
undergoing chemotherapy, individuals who have undergone organ transplants,
individuals with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants
can be particularly at risk from infections, These individuals should seek advice about
drinking water from their health care providers. The EPA and CDC provide guidelines on
appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and are available
from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Compliance
Other Monitoring
In addition to the referenced testing, staff members are required to monitor the chlorine
residual in the finished water daily. If you are interested in a more detailed report,
contact Chris Boswell, General Manager. (229)-759-6056
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 good standing and has not been affected by
the drought.
We will be happy to answer any questions about Lee County Utilities Authority and our
water quality. Call Tricia Quinn at 229-759-6056. Water Quality Data for community
water systems throughout the United States is available at www.waterdata.com.
Construction Matters
Recent water main line construction that was complete June 20, 2008 (Funded by
SPLOST) allows one (1) potable water system in southern Lee County. This action
(construction) will enhances quality, water amount, pressure, and allows commercial
businesses to build along Forrester Parkway.