Newspaper Page Text
THE COMMERCE (GA) NEWS, WEDNESDAY. TUNE 3, 2009 - PAGE 5A
DDA Hopes To Start Recycling Program
By Mark Beardsley
The Commerce Down
town Development Author
ity will discuss starting a
recycling program with the
city’s garbage hauler.
Chairman Clark Hill
reported to the DDA last
Wednesday that Waste
Management officials say
they “would be happy to sit
down and talk to us about
a way to partner to start
recycling.’’
Recycling and other so-
called “green" issues came
up when the DDA held
its town hall meeting in
February.
Hill said the program, if it
comes to fruition, will likely
start with the recycling of
paper, cardboard and alu
minum cans. If that works
out, glass and plastic could
be added, but the market
for those recycled products
is currently poor.
“There is definitely a lot
of interest," Hill told the
DDA. “We’ve had a lot of
people since that meeting
say they’re excited we’re
talking about recycling."
Commerce has never
offered a comprehen
sive recycling program.
Currently, Keep Jackson
Beautiful maintains three
recycling bins for paper
products at the front edge
of the parking lot at Lanier
Technical College on South
Elm Street.
Hasco Craver, director of
the DDA, speculated that
the initial effort of the DDA
with Waste Management
would probably be similar
in scope.
Facade Grant
Program To Continue
The Downtown
Development Authority’s
facade grant program will
continue this year, albeit
with less funding.
Craver told the DDA
Friday that he’s received
checks of $1,000 from
First Commerce Bank
and Pinnacle Bank so far.
Northeast Georgia Bank
has opted not to partici
pate, he said, Freedom
Bank no longer exists and
Craver has yet to hear from
United Community Bank,
Community Bank and Trust
and First Georgia Bank.
Last year, those seven
banks donated $3,000
each to fund the program,
which helps qualifying
businesses make improve
ments on building exteriors
with small matching grants.
Craver reduced the request
to $1,000 this year, reflect
ing the economic situation.
“Almost all of the major
rehabs we talked about last
year were facade grant proj
ects," Craver pointed out.
Windstream, DDA Planning To Make Spencer Park Wi-Fi
Talent Winner
Mandy Best, right, of Fort Valley won the
WJJC Colgate Country Showdown May 29 at the
Commerce Cultural Center. She is pictured with
WJJC owner Rob Jordan and will move to the state
finals later this year, the second step in a national
contest that will earn the winner $100,000.
By Mark Beardsley
Windstream and the
Commerce Downtown
Development Authority
plan to make wireless free
Internet (Wi-Fi) available in
Spencer Park.
DDA Chairman Clark Hill
reported last Wednesday on
conversations with Wayne
Parker of Windstream
about the concept.
“They (Windstream) will
donate a big wireless rout
er," said Hill. “The park,
the business center (the
old Collins Cleaner build
ing is being renovated
into a 'business develop
ment center’) and Hasco’s
office (the DDA building)
would all be completely
wireless.
“Ultimately, we’d like
the area from City Tire to
Spencer Park to be a Wi-Fi
hotspot," said Hill.
—GM Selling Debt Instead Of Cars
Cont. from Page 4A
honor or integrity. Debt
ceased to be shameful
and became something
casual.
Everyone now owed
money without worry
ing about it. One credit
card paid off another.
Mortgages were paid off
with credit cards too.
People found nothing
wrong in balancing sever
al loans and other debts
at the same time. And
then the system crashed
and all the loans came
due. Where in the days
of the USSR, American
industry had drawn its
strength from labor and
production, present-day
America no longer has
industry or labor, it only
has debt, which it in turn
resold and passed along
down the line.
General Motors was
formed as a holding com
pany for Buick in 1908,
and then-owner William
Durant went on a two-
year shopping spree and
purchased thirty other
automobile manufactur
ers. Durant lost his posi
tion because he spent too
much too quickly and
banks were unsure of the
company's financial sta
bility
The firm prospered
however and after
battling the Great
Depression and World
War II, GM developed
and engineered some
of the most popular
automobiles ever made.
Cadillac, Corvette, El
Camino, Malibu and
Camaro are just a few of
the memorable models.
Each summer and winter,
the downtown hosts a
car show and more often
than not, the entries that
draw the most attention
are the American-made
GM models.
As the owner of two
American-made automo
biles, I hope that the cur
rent recession and clean
ing up of shaky business
practices emboldens
the next generation of
Americans to rediscover
the hard work, ingenu
ity and honest initia
tive needed to reshape
America and its compa
nies, making them the
envy of the world once
again.
Hasco Craver is executive
director of the Commerce
Downtown Development
Authority. He lives in
Commerce.
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152 Dallas Dr.
Commerce, GA 30529
2009 WATER QUALITY REPORT
City of Commerce, Georgia
PWSID#: 1570001
P.O.Box 348 Commerce, GA 30529 (706)335-3164
Prepared in Accordance With:
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
40 CFR Parts 141 and 142
Is my waieT sarei
The City of Commerce is pleased to report that your community’s drinking water met or exceeded till safely and quality standards set by the State of
Georgia and EPA during the previous year (2008). This Water Quality Report is intended to inform our customers of where their drinking water comes
from, how its treated, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies. Our employees are committed to providing you
with safe, dependable lap water on a year round basis and are proud to provide the enclosed information.
Where does my water come from?
The City ol’Commerce utilizes surface water as its raw water source from the 325 acre Grove Creek Reservoir located North of downtown Commerce
in Banks County. This reservoir is supplied by water draining the Grove Creek watershed. A Reservoir Management Plan and a Watershed Protection
Plan exist to protect the drinking water source through such measures as establishing buffer zones around streams and water bodies, specifying
allowable impervious surface densities within the watershed, and addressing the recreational use of the reservoir.
A source water assessment plan (SWAP) has been completed which identified potential sources of surface water pollution that may pose a threat to the
water supply within the Grove Creek Watershed. According to the GA EPD ranking methodology, this assessment determined that the watershed’s
susceptibility to pollution was MEDIUM. To obtain a copy of the SWAP, contact Bryan Harbin at (706) 335-5202.
How is this water treated?
The raw water from the reservoir is pumped to the nearby water treatment plant on Water Plant Road. When this water enters the plant, a coagulant is
added so panicles will settle out in a basin. The water is then filtered through a dual media filter of anthracite and sand to remove remaining particles,
including natural organic materials, clays and sill, iron and manganese, and microorganisms. Phosphate (to make the water non-corrosive to plumbing
systems), lime (for pH control), and fluoride (for dental health) arc each added, and the water is disinfected with chlorine to make it biologically safe.
Contaminants and Health Risks Found in Drinking 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. Additional information can be obtained over the Internet from:
http://www.epa.gov/ow
http://www.dnr.state.ga.us/epd
http://www.awwa.org
http://www.amwa-water.org
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 he particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from other health care
providers. EP A/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are
available from the 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, in some cases, 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 the following:
□ Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock
operations, and wildlife.
□ Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or
domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
□ Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses.
□ Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and
petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.
[j 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, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water
systems. 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 below lists all of the drinki ng water contaminants that were detected through monitoring and testing during the calendar year of 2008, The presence
of contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. The State requires us to monitor for certain contaminants on a
daily basis and others monthly, yearly, or less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently.
Terms and Abbreviations Used In Table
P MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): The level ofa contaminant in drinking watcrlxlow which there is no known or expected lisk to
health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
P 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.
P Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowedin thinking water. There is convincing evidence
that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbiological contaminants.
P Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level ofa drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or
expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
P AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must
follow.
P Parts per million (ppm): or Milligrams per liter (mg/1) - one part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in
$10,000.
P Parts per billion (ppb): or Micrograms per liter(dlg/i) -one part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2.000 years, or a single penny in
$10,000,000.
P Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
P Turbidity Units (NTU): Measure of the clarity of water.
TABLE OF DETECTED CONTAMINANTS
Detected
Substance
Units
MCLG
MCL
Result (a)
Range
Detected
Violation?
Probable
Source
Regulated Contaminants
Turbidity (b)
NTUs
N/A
IT = 0.3
0.26
(100%)(c)
N/A
NO
Soil runoff.
Total Organic Carbon
(TOC)
Ratio
N/A
TT □ 2.0
1.51(d)
0.8-2.5 (e)
NO
Naturally present in
the environment.
Inorganic Contaminants
Copper (f)
ppb
AL=1300
AL=1300
35(g)
0(h)
NO
Corrosion of
household plumbing
Lead (1)
ppb
0
AL=I5
0(g)
0(h)
NO
Corrosion of
household plumbing
Fluoride
ppm
4
4
1.03 (i)
0.80-1.20 (j)
NO
Water additive that
promotes strong teeth
Volatile Organic Contaminants (VOCs)
Chlorine
ppm
MRDLG =
4 MRDL = 4
1.48 (i)
1.00-1.80
NO
Added to water for
disinfection.
Tribal omethanes
(THMs)
ppb
N/A
80
53.0 (i)
27-79
NO
By-product of
drinking water
chlorination
Haloacetic Acids
(HAAs)
ppb
N/A
60
410)
22-68
NO
By-product of
drinking water
chlorination
Unregulated Contaminants
Sodium
ppm
N/A
N/A
6.8
N/A
NO
(a) Values represent highest single measurement unless otherwise noted.
(b j Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water and is monitored because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of the filtration system.
(c) Lowest % of monthly samples meeting turbidity limits.
(d) Average of monthly averages.
(e) Range detected i n mg/1.
(f) Water from the treatment plant does not contain lead or copper, however under EPA test protocol, water is tested at the tap. Tap tests reveal whether lead
or copper is corroding from the piping system and contaminating the water supply. Phosphate, a corrosion inhibitor, is added prior to distribution.
(g) 90 percentile.
(n) Number of sites exceeding AL.
(i) Annual average.
(j) Monlhly Average.
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 lines and home plumbing. The City of Commerce is responsible for providing high quality drinking
water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the
potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap 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 (800-426-4791) or at http://www.epa.pov/safewater/lead.
Cryptosporidium
No Cryptosporidium was detected in our finished drinking water. Cryptosporidium is a microbial contaminant commonly found in surface water. Source
Water quality monitoring conducted as part of the City’s SWAP project indicated the presence of this organism in one out of five samples obtained from the
Grove Creek Reservoir. Symptoms of Cryptosporidium infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever
Opportunities for public participation
The Lity of Commerce holds its City Council meetings on the 2 n,s Monday of every month at 6:30 PM at the Commerce Civic Center located at 110 State
Street.
For more information
For more information regarding this report or to receive an individual copy, please contact Jerry McLocklin at the Commerce Water Treatment Plant at (706)
335-6330. Individual copies of this report will not be mailed to each consumer.
This water quality report was prepared by Stevenson & Palmer Engineering, Inc., as a service to the City of Commerce, GA.
A
Stevenson & Palmer
Engineering, Lie.