Newspaper Page Text
Page 6B, The Lee County Ledger, Wednesday, May 25,2022
Lee County Board of Commissioners
Lee County Criminal Justice Center
2021 How Safe is Our Water?
Lee County Utilities Authority
Lee County Water System
2021 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 905 US
Highway 19 South, 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 The
Authority contracts with the State of Georgia Environmental Protection Division/
Department of Natural Resources to test the Authority’s water samples.
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 2021. 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 2021. The E.P.D. of GA. Dept, of Natural Resources
of the State requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year
because these contaminants do not change frequently. In the event contaminant exceeds a
trigger level more sampling and analysis will be performed to ensure safety and quality.
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
Contaminant
Highest
Level
Detected
MCL
Major Source
Violation
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 (ppm)
1
4
microbes
NO
TTHM
22.6
80
By-product of organics in
NO
(Total Trihalomethanes)
(Annual
Avg.)
drinking water and the chlorine
disinfectant.
HAA5
(Haloacetic Acids)
17.5
60
(Annual
Avg.)
By-product of drinking water
chlorination
NO
Xylenes
.0019
10
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 limit 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.
We will be happy to answer any questions about Lee County Utilities Authority and our
water quality please contact Tricia Holmes at (229) 759-6056. Water Quality Data for
community water systems throughout the United States is available at
www.waterdata.com.
The Lee County Utilities Authority Board meets the third Thursday of each month at the
Page Tharp Governmental Building in the Opal Cannon Auditorium located at 102
Starksville Ave North, Leesburg, Georgia 31763. The meetings of the Utilities Authority
are always open to the general public and meeting agenda and minutes are available at
www.lee.ga.us
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 905 US Highway 19 South, Leesburg, Georgia).
Is our water safe to drink? Absolutely.
More information is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.waterdata.com
The Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division completed an
inspection of the referenced system in June 2021. No major violations were found during this
inspection. The Authority contracts with the State of Georgia Environmental Protection Division/
Department of Natural Resources to test the Authority’s water samples.
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
2021. 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
2021 The EPD of Georgia Dept, of Natural Resources requires us to monitor for certain
contaminants less than once per year because these contaminants do not change frequently. In the
event a contaminant exceeds a trigger level more sampling and analysis will be performed to
ensure safety and quality.
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
Highest
Detected
MCL
Major Source
Violation
Level
Lead (ppb)
Copper (ppm)
Corrosion of piping system:
0
AL=15
erosion of natural deposits
NO
1.3
AL=1.3
Water additive to control
NO
Chlorine (ppm)
1
4
microbes
NO
TTHM
2
80
By-product of organics in
NO
(Total
drinking water and the
Trihalomethanes)
chlorine disinfectant.
HAA5
1
60
By-product of drinking
NO
(Haloacetic Acids)
water chlorination
Inorganic
Contaminants
Nitrates (Measured as
Nitrogen)
1
10
Found in Fertilizers
NO
Erosion of natural deposits;
Water additive which
Fluoride
2.1
10
promotes strong teeth;
Discharge from fertilizer
and aluminum factories.
NO
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 its
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 limit 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.
We will be happy to answer any questions about Lee County Utilities Authority and our water
quality. Call Tricia Holmes at 229-759-6056. Water Quality Data for community water systems
throughout the United States is available at www.waterdata.com.
The Lee County Utilities Authority Board meets the third Thursday of each month at the Page
Tharp Governmental Building in the Opal Cannon Auditorium located at 102 Starksville Ave
North, Leesburg, Georgia 31763. The meetings of the Utilities Authority are always open to the
general public and meeting agenda and minutes are available at www.lee.ga.us