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2022 Thomson/McDuffie Water Quality Report HIGH WATER QUALITY This is the twenty-third annual report required by new Federal regulations on the quality of the drinking water provided to customers of the Thomson-McDuffie County and Dearing Water System. This brochure summarizes the laboratory data taken during the past year and reflects the hard work of our professional drinking water department employees to bring you water that is safe to drink and use. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies. Your Drinking Water Department is committed to providing you with valuable information about your water supply, because customers who are well informed are our best allies in supporting our efforts to maintain the highest drinking water standards. SOURCE DESCRIPTION Thomson-McDuffie County customers are very fortunate to have two separate sources for their water supply. The original source can withdraw 1.5 million gallons per day from Usry's Pond, a small spring and surface fed impoundment. In 1991, after the severe drought and water use restrictions in the mid-80's, an intake and new water treatment plant were constructed on the Big Creek branch of the Clarks Hill Reservoir, north of the City of Thomson. This second source can withdraw 3.1 million gallons per day from Clarks Hill Reservoir. To better protect our drinking water reservoirs, both the City of Thomson and McDuffie County have passed watershed protection ordinances. With everyone's cooperation and help, these ordinances will prevent or limit those activities that lead to increased biological or chemical contaminants entering the small streams that flow into Usry's Pond. The Corps of Engineers has similar limits on undesired activities around Clarks Hill Reservoir. After treatment, the water from both facilities is pumped into the same distribution system, composed of underground pipes and elevated storage tanks, for delivery to the customers. Thus, either intake/treatment plant can supply all the water needs of our customers for several days depending on the rainfall and together. The combined sources will serve our community's needs in the future. WHAT ARE SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION TO DRINKING WATER? As described above, the sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) can include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves and picks up naturally occurring minerals and substances resulting from natural processes including human and animal activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria, which can be introduced by sewage treatment plants, septic systems, livestock and wildlife.; inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or as a result of 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 or residential uses; organic chemical contaminants including and volatile organic chemicals which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff and septic systems; radioactive contaminants, which can be natural occurring or be the result oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to assure that tap water is safe to drink, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) prescribe regulations which limit the amount of certain substances in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for substances in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health as that served at your tap. "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 Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline [(800) 426-4791]. WHO NEEDS TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS? 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/CDC* guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline [(800) 426-4791]. (*Center for Disease Control) "Some people who drink water containing trichloromethanes 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." (EPA Required Notice.) ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE FOR 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 Thomson- McDuffie 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 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 or at http://www. epa.gov/safewater/lead. Routine monitoring for lead and copper consists of taking drinking water samples at designated homes throughout our community once every three years. For more information on lead and copper, you may call Charles Cumber, Water Director, at [PHONE REDACTED]. FOR RULES ON OUTDOOR WATERING, VISIT www.gaepd.org/documents/outdoorwater.html ---PAGE BREAK--- 2022 Table of Detected Contaminants Contaminant MCLG MCL Highest Level Found Range of Detections Violation Year Sampled SOURCES OF SUBSTANCES Microbiological Contaminants TOTAL COLIFORM N/A N/A 0 N/A N 2022 Naturally present in the environment Inorganic Contaminants MANGANESE .050 ppm .030 0.0 -.030 No 2022 IRON .3ppm .06 0.0 -.06 No 2022 Natural Geology LEAD (ppb) 0 AL=15 4.9 0.0 -4.9 No 2022 Corrosion of household plumbing COPPER (ppm) 1.3 AL=1.3 .100 0.0 -.100 No 2022 Corrosion of household plumbing Residual Disinfectants RESIDUAL CHLORINE (ppm) 4.0 4.0 2.14 .26-2.14 No 2022 Added for disinfection Volatile Organic Compounds HALOACETIC ACIDS (ppb) 60 60 29.00 8.5-29.0 No 2022 By-products of chlorination Chloroform (ppb) NA NA 120.0 24.0-120.0 Yes 2022 The A symbol which means ‘less than’. A result of means that the lowest level of detection is 5 and the sample contained less than that. NA= not applicable ppb = One part per billion, or micrograms per liter (ug/l) ppm = One part per million AL = Action Level, the concentration of a substance that triggers additional treatment or other requirements for the water system *MCLs = Maximum Contaminant Level: "The highest level of a substance that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to as feasible using the best available treatment technology.” = Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: "The level of a substance in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to human health. allow for a margin of safety. TT = Treatment Technique: A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. Location 2022 TTHM Results (ppb) 1St Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Site 501 75.7 120.6 101.7 81.7 Site 501 LRAA 78.375 89.925 92.15 94.925 Site 502 37.7 120.7 93.4 50.1 Site 502 LRAA 42.625 57.225 70.45 75.475 Site 503 27.6 120.4 82.4 48.9 Site 503 LRAA 30.6 50.25 63.5 69.825 Site 504 67.6 131.2 115.8 84.9 Site 504 LRAA 67.575 87.225 95.3 99.075 • Highlighted numbers represent the average, range and highest LRAA in this table. Contaminant (CCR Units) MCL MCLG Average Range Sample Date Violation Typical Source TTHM (ppb) 80 N/A 89.925 (2nd Quarter at Site 501) 70.6-120.6 2022 Yes Byproduct of Disinfection TTHM (ppb) 80 N/A 87.225 (2nd Quarter at Site 504) 66.6-131.2 2022 Yes Byproduct of Disinfection TTHM (ppb) 80 N/A 92.15 (3rd Quarter at Site 501) 70.6-120.6 2022 Yes Byproduct of Disinfection TTHM (ppb) 80 N/A 95.3 (3rd Quarter at Site 504) 66.6-131.2 2022 Yes Byproduct of Disinfection TTHM (ppb) 80 N/A 94.925 (4th Quarter at Site 501) 75.7-120.6 2022 Yes Byproduct of Disinfection TTHM (ppb) 80 N/A 99.075 (4th Quarter at Site 504) 67.575-131.2 2022 Yes Byproduct of Disinfection Under Stage 2 DBP Rule, for TTHM and HAA5, systems with only one location with an exceedance, must report the highest LRAA and the range of quarterly results (for all locations) in their main detected contaminant table. In order to reduce TTHM levels the system is taking the following measures: running drinking water through granular activated carbon (GAC) filter elements; flushing treated water more frequently in water lines with lower numbers of customers, thereby reducing opportunities for to develop; and beginning water treatment plant improvements in 2023 – among these improvements are modifications aimed specifically to reduce or eliminate in drinking water. Charles M. Cumber Director of Water Production Thomson-McDuffie Water System TTHM MCL 0.080 ppm MCL in CCR Units 80 ppb