Newspaper Page Text
Page 4B
April 26, 2023
Reporter
Dr. Patrice Walker named to
Becker s Hospital Review List
Dr. Patrice Chambliss
Walker, a native of Monroe
County, has been named
to Beckers Hospital Re
view's annual list of “Black
Healthcare Leaders to
Know 2023.” The list hon
ors Black leaders across the
country for their commit
ment to health care.
“Their viewpoints are
crucial to the foundation
of organizations, programs
and partnerships that foster
health equity and inclu
sion,” the publication stated
in a press release. “Diversity
in leadership, particularly
at the executive level, lends
healthcare organizations a
broader perspective and a
deeper understanding of
their clients and employ
ees. Beckers Healthcare is
honored to highlight these
leaders, whose work con
tributes to positive patient
experiences and paves the
way for the next generation
of leaders.”
Walker is Chief Medical
Officer at Atrium Health
Navicent in Macon. Walker
was appointed as the
Dr. Patrice Walker
organization's first African
American, female chief
medical officer in 2019. In
addition to ensuring the
best care for patients, she
aims to improve commu
nication between medical
staff and administration.
Formerly a practicing
OB-GYN, Walker serves
today as the chief medical
officer and a senior vice
president at Atrium Health
Navicent where she contin
ues to advocate for diversity
and inclusion and contrib
utes to the education and
professional development
of staff, medical students
and residents.
She is a three-time
recipient of the National
Faculty Award presented
by the American College
of Obstetricians and Gyne
cologists and the Council
on Resident Education in
Obstetrics and Gynecol
ogy for promoting high
standards of residency
education. From January
2017-October 2018, Dr.
Walker held the position
of Associate Dean of
Diversity, Equity and In
clusion at Mercer Univer
sity School of Medicine for
the Macon and Columbus
campuses.
Walker graduated from
Mary Persons and then
attended Georgia Tech,
earning a degree in applied
biology. She returned to
Middle Georgia to earn her
medical degree from Mer
cer and complete her resi
dency training at Atrium,
then known as the Medical
Center of Central Georgia.
She is married and has a
daughter and stepson.
Pictured, left to right, are University of N. Georgia students Alyssa Elliot, Marie Jordan,
Colin Sharp, Kyler Vaeth, Ashleigh Slaughter of Forsyth and Dr. Cindy Rippe. Slaughter, a
senior, took first place at the National Collegiate Sales Competition at Kennesaw State
University and UNG s team finished third overall.
Slaughter takes 1st at National
Collegiate Sales Competition
University of North Geor
gia (UNG) student Ash
leigh Slaughter of Forsyth
took first place out of 140
competitors at the National
Collegiate Sales Competi
tion (NCSC) at Kennesaw
State University in March,
and UNG's student team
took third overall out of 70
schools competing.
The team consisted of
Slaughter, Alyssa Elliott,
Colin Sharp, and Kyler
Vaeth, all of whom are
pursuing marketing de
grees. Students were given
a company product, and
tasked with learning about
the product and presenting
a sales plan. UNG's perfor
mance at NCSC shows a
major transformation from
being ranked 51st in 2021
to now third. It finished
tied for fourth in 2021.
Slaughter said this expe
rience has already led to
her being recruited for jobs
after graduation in summer
2023.
"Competing at NCSC
was an amazing experience
that has provided me with
so much knowledge that I
will carry with me into my
future sales career," said
Slaughter. "After working
so hard, winning NCSC
was a dream come true and
has provided me with so
many amazing opportuni
ties."
In preparation for the
competition, Dr. Cindy
Rippe, associate professor
of sales, and her students
met weekly for 20 hours
since December and partic
ipated in two competitions.
The previous events includ
ed the Bayou Sales Chal
lenge in Thibodaux, Lou
isiana, hosted by Nicholls
State University in Febru
ary. Vaeth and Sharp won
their respective rounds
during the "pressure" seg
ment. Slaughter, Elliott and
Sharp also teamed up for a
seventh-place finish out of
more than 40 schools at the
Redbird Sales Competition
held virtually by Illinois
State in February.
Day of Prayer is May 4
STARR
Heating & A/C, Inc.
We Service All Brands of Heating
& Air Conditioning Units
Serving Monroe County &
Surrounding Areas for over 40 years
Free Estimates
Financing Available
Juliette Rd. • Forsyth, GA
478-994-6127
Ga.Reg.CU 401419
The 2023 National Day of
Prayer program is Thurs
day, May 4 at 12 p.m. at
the Courthouse lawn. It
is sponsored by Monroe
County Ministerial Asso
ciation. All are invited to
join the prayers with others
around the nation for our
local, state and national
communities.
City of Forsyth Water Dept I.D.# GA2070001
2022 Water Quality Report
Your Water is Safe to Drink
The City of Forsyth is proud to report that your drinking
water exceeded all safety and quality standards set by the
Slate of Georgia and EPA, The 2022 Water Quality Report
provides you with a snapshot account of the monitoring and
testing results gathered from water quality analysis during
the 2022 calendar year. The employees at H20 Innovation,
Inc. are committed to providing you with safe, dependable
drinking water and are proud to serve the community of
Forsyth, For more information about your water call
478/994-3423 and ask for Craig Helms.
Special Population Advisory
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in
drinking water than the general population. Immuno
compromised persons such as 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/Center For Disease Control guidelines on
how to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and
other microbial contaminants are available from Ihe Safe
Drinking Water Hotline 800/4264791.
Drinking Water Sources
Your water comes from the Tobesofkee Creek Reservoir.
This is a surface water source located approximately two (2)
miles south of the city limits. Source water assessment
information may be obtained by calling the Georgia
Environmental Protection Division at (404) 463-1511 or
visiting their website at www.gaepd.org.
Public Participation Opportunities
If you are interested in participating in water policy
decisions, the Forsyth City Council meets at 6:00pm the first
and third Monday of each month. These meetings are open
to the public. For more information call City Hall at
478/994-5649. For additional information concerning your
drinking water, visit Forsyth's website @
www.cityofforsyth.net.
Contaminants in 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 EPA's Safe Drinking Water
Hotline 800/426-4791 or visiting the EPD's website at
www.gaepd .org.
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 can pick up
substances resulting from the presence of animals or
from human activity.
Contaminants Lhal may he present in source water
before we treat it include:
* Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria,
which may come from sewage treatment plants,
septic systems, agricultural livestock operations,
and wildlife.
* Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals,
which can he naturally-occurring or result from
urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic
wastewater discharges, oil and gas production,
mining or farming.
* Pesticides & herbicides, which may come from a
variety of sources such as agriculture and
residential use.
* Radioactive contaminants, which are naturally
occurring.
* Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic
and volatile organic chemicals, which are by
products of industrial processes and petroleum
production, and also can come from gas stations,
urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.
Water Quality Monitoring
To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes
regulations that limit the amount of certain
contaminants in water provided by public water
systems. We treat our water according to EPA's
regulations. Food and Drug Administration regulations
establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which
must provide the same protection for public health.
Water Quality Data
The table in this report represents the annual average of
the contaminants listed. The presence of these
contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate
that the water poses a health risk. Unless otherwise
noted, the data presented in this table are from testing
done January 1 through December 31, 2022. The state
requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than
once per year because the concentrations of these
contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from
year to year. Some of the data, though representative of
the water quality, is more than one year old.
Terms & Abbreviations
• AL; Action Level - the concentration of a contaminant which, when exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.
• MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal - the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health.
MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
• MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level - the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as
feasible using the best available treatment technology.
• N/A: not applicable • ND: not detectable at testing limit • NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Units
* RL: Reporting Limit
• ppnVmg/L: parts per million or milligrams per liter - (corresponds to one minute in two years)
• ppb: parts per billion — (corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years)
• ug/L: micrograms per liter
• TT: Treatment Technique - A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water
• MRDL: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level - Tin* highest residual disinfectant level allowed.
• MRDLG: Maximum Residual Disinfectant l-evel Goal - The level of residual disinfectant below which there Is no known or expected risk to health.
MCL or RL
in mg/L or
Violation
Substance
ug/L
MCLG
Level Detected
(Y or N)
Typical Source of Contamination
Microbiological Contaminants
Turbidity (NTU)
1.0
N/A
Soil Runoff.
% of samples < 0.3 NTU
100%
100%
N
Highest single daily average
0.00
.15
N
Yearly Average
0.00
.03
N
Total Organic Carbon (ppm)
TT
N/A
Naturally present in the environment. Has no health
Yearly Average
1.52
N
effects. Provides a medium for the formation of
Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acids.
Inorganic Contaminants
Copper (ppb)
AL=1300
0
35ppb or. 035
N
Concision of household plumbing systems: Erosion of
ppm in 2020
(90 h percentile)
natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives.
Fluoride (ppm)
4
.85
Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive which
Highest Monthly Average
.91
N
promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and
aluminum factories.
Lowest Monthly Average
.81
N
Yearly Average
.86
Lead (ppb)
AL=15
0
1.7ppb or
N
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of
.0017ppm in
natural deposits.
2020
(90 m percentile)
Sodium 23 (ug/L)
RL=1000
0
14000 or
N
Naturally occurring. Ihe use of Sodium Hydroxide to
14.0mg/L
balance the pH of the water.
Manganese 55 (ug/L)
RL=25
0
87 ug/L or
,087 mg/L
N
Naturally occurring.
Volatile Organic Contaminants
Haloacetic Acids (ppb)
Highest Individual HAA Result
60
0
36
N
By-product of drinking water disinfection.
Highest Running Annual Average
29.5
N
Total Trihalomethanes (ppb)
Highest Individual THM Results
80
0
43.9
N
By-product of drinking water disinfection.
Highest Running Annual Avg.
38.875
N
Residual Disinfectants
Free Residual Chlorine (ppm)
MRDLG
4
MRDL
4
Highest annual
individual
measurement
1.90
N
Water additive used to control microbes. A
disinfectant oxidizer.
The City of Forsyth has one hundred-eight (108) microbiological samples tested annually by the EPD. Out of these one hundred-eight samples, zero samples
tested positive for total coliform bacteria and Ecoli. The water provided to you by the City of Forsyth was bacteria free throughout the year of 2021.
• MCL: For systems that collect less than 40 samples per month (The City of Forsyth is required to collect 9 samples per month), the MCL is one
(1) positive sample per month.
• Total Coliform and Ecoli are naturally present in the environment.
• Conforms are bacteria used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present
The City of Forsyth participated in ihe monitoring of unregulated contaminants in 2017, aka UCMR3. Unregulated contaminant monitoring helps the
EPA to determine where certain contaminants occur and whether the contaminants need to be regulated. The last samples collected and
analyzed for these contaminants was December 2017 and was found to meet all applicable standards. A detection of a UCMR3 analyte above the
MRLfMinimum Reporting Limit) does not represent cause for concern. The implications of the detection should be judged considering health effects
information, which is often still under development. For more information, consult "UCMR 3 Data Considerations, Definitions, Reference Concentrations
and Summary PDF" at httn://water.epa-Wov/lawsreKs/rulesrerts/sdwa/ucmr/data.cfm#ucmr2fl13,
Health Effects
Turbidity. Turbidity is the measurement used to describe the cloudiness of water. Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can
interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms.
Total Organic Carbon. Total organic carbon has no health effects. However, total organic carbon provides a medium for the formation of
disinfection byproducts. These byproducts include Trihalomethanes (THMs) and Haloacetic acids (HAAs). Drinking water containing
these byproducts in excess of the MCL may lead to adverse health effects, liver or kidney problems, or nervous system effects, and may
lead to an increased risk of getting cancer.
Copper. Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively
short period of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level
over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson's Disease should consult their personal doctor. When your water
has been silling for several hours, you can minimize the potential for copper exposure by flushing your lap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes
before using water for drinking or cooking.
Fluoride: Some people who drink water containing fluoride in excess of the MCL over many years could get bone disease, including pain
and tenderness of the hones. Children may get mottled teeth.
Lead: If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in
drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service line and home plumbing, The City of Forsyth Water
System is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components.
When your water has been silling for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your lap for 30 seconds
to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water
tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe
Drinking Water Hotline or at http:/www. Epa.gov./safewater/lead.
Haloacetic Acids. Some people who drink water containing Haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased
risk of getting cancer.
Total Trihalomethanes. Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience
problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Free Residual Chlorine: The portion of available chlorine remaining in the water after disinfection has occurred. It is important to have a free
chlorine residual in the distribution system all the way to the customers tap. This protects the consumer from the introduction of microbes
after the water treatment plant process. Some people who use water containing chlorine well in excess of the MRDL could experience
irritating effects to theirs eyes and nose, as well as stomach discomfort.
Sodium: Sodium salts are found in virtually all food (the main source of daily exposure) and drinking water. Sodium levels in the latter are
typically less than 20 mg/litre. The City of Forsyth's water supply was analyzed and found to be at 14.0 mg/L. It is generally agreed that
sodium is essential to human life, but on the basis of existing data, no lirm conclusions can be drawn concerning the possible health effects
of sodium in drinking-water. However, sodium may affect the taste of drinking-water at levels above about 200 mg/L.
Manganese: Manganese is one of the most abundant metals in Earth's crust and is naturally occurring in surface water. Manganese is
essential to the proper functioning of humans. Manganese is an essential element utilized by antioxidants, It should be noted that the
presence of manganese in drinking-water will be objectionable to consumers if the manganese is deposited in water mains and causes a
darkening discoloration in the water. Concentrations below 0,05 mg/1 are usually acceptable to consumers.
This water quality report was prepared by H20 Innovation, as a service to the City of Forsyth.
Reports will not be individually mailed to our customers but will be given upon request.