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2009 Consumer Confidence Report

YES, our water meets all of EPA’s Health Standards. In 2008, we conducted over 4500 tests for contaminants that may be found in drinking water. As you’ll see in the Water Quality Data chart, we only detected 10 of these contaminants, and found all of those at safe levels. For Quality Control purposes the Water Treatment Plant is manned around the clock.

Your water, which is surface water, comes from the Center Hill Lake (Mine Lick Creek). The sources of drinking water (both 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, 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:

·         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 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 septic systems.

·         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 and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation prescribe regulations which limits the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health

Our goal is to protect our water from contaminates and we are working with the State to determine the vulnerability of our water source to potential contamination. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has prepared a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Report for the untreated water sources to potential contamination. To ensure safe drinking water, all public water systems treat and routinely test their water. Water sources have been rated as reasonably susceptible (high), moderately susceptible (moderate) or slightly susceptible (low) based on geologic factors and human activities in the vicinity of the water source. The Cookeville Water Department system sources rated as moderately susceptible to potential contamination.

An explanation of Tennessee’s Source Water Assessment summaries, susceptibility scorings and the overall TDEC report to EPA can be viewed online at www.state.tn.us/environment/dws/dwassess.shtml or you may contact the City of Cookeville Water Department to obtain copies of specific assessments.

The City of Cookeville Water Treatment Plant is designed to treat 15 million gallons per day (MGD). In 2008 the average daily flow pumped to customers was 11.940 MGD. 

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).

The State and EPA require us to test and report our water on a regular basis to ensure its safety. We have always met all of these requirements. We want you to know that we pay special attention to all of the rules.

For the most part taste and odor problems are the result of iron, algae and manganese. We use additives such as hydrogen peroxide and activated carbon in an effort to eliminate these problems.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants 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 their personal sanitation, food preparation, handling infants and pets, and drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/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). Some people who drink water containing Trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

We had 1 site out of a total of 30 sites sampled to exceed the lead or copper action level. 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 Cookeville 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.gov/safewater/lead.

• MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, or 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, or 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.

Contaminant

Do We Meet  the Standards

MCLG in CCR Units

MCL in CCR Units

Level found in CCR Units

Range of Detection

Units

Date of Sample*

Typical source of Contaminant

Total Coliform Bacteria

YES

0

5%

1.32%

0-1

%

*

Naturally present in the environment

Of the 872 samples collected in 2008 only one tested positive for Total Coliform Bacteria

Total Organic Carbons

YES

N/A

TT

N/A

**

ppm

*

Naturally present in the environment

Turbidity***

YES

N/A

TT

0.45

0.05 to 0.45

NTU

*

Soil runoff

Lead1

YES

0

AL=15

2.9

ND to 17.0

ppb

June 08

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits

Copper1

YES

1.3

AL=1.3

0.14

0.014 to 0.38

ppm

June 08

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits

Fluoride

YES

4

4

1.31

0.06 to 1.31

ppm

*

Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive which promotes strong teeth

Sodium

YES

None

None

19

ppm

*

Sodium Hydroxide is added to the treatment process for corrosion control and water stabilization

Chlorine

YES

MRDLG = 4

MRDL = 4

2.41 Avg.

0.90 to 3.3

ppm

*

Water Additive used to control microbes

TTHMs [Total Trihalomethanes]

YES

80

33.25   Avg.

12.4 to 160

ppb

*

By-product of drinking water chlorination

Haloacetic Acids

YES

60

16.4Avg.

6.98 to 42.7

ppb

*

By-product of drinking water chlorination

Synthetic Organic Contaminants including Pesticides and Herbicides

The City of Cookeville is waivered on these except Atrazine and it was below the Detection Limit.