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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