CRYPTOSPORIDIUM & GIARDIA Cryptosporidium and Giardia are microscopic

Table of Non-Detected Substances

organisms found in surface water throughout the United States. Although filtration

removes Cryptosporidium and Giardia, the most commonly-used filtration methods

Florence Water Department tested for the following

cannot guarantee 100 percent removal. Ingestion of may cause an abdominal infection.

substances in 2018 but none were detected.

Symptoms of infection include nausea, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Most

healthy individuals can overcome the disease within a few weeks. However, immuno-

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate

1,3-Dichloropropane

compromised individuals, infants and small children, and the elderly are at greater risk

Bromobenzene

2,2-Dichloropropane

of developing life-threatening illness. We encourage immuno-compromised individuals

Bromochloromethane

1,1-Dichloropropene

to consult their doctor regarding appropriate precautions to take to avoid infection.

Bromoform

1,3-Dichloropropene

Cryptosporidium and Giardia must be ingested to cause disease, and it may be spread

Bromomethane

Hexachlorobutadiene

through means other than drinking water. Cryptosporidium and Giardia in at Florence’s

n-Butylbenzene

Isoprpylbenzene

treatment plants are removed and/or treated by effective filtration and disinfection

sec-Butylbenzene

4-Isopropyltoluene

processes.

tert-Butylbenzene

Methylene Chloride

We monitored the untreated source waters for both Cryptosporidium and Giardia in

Chloroethane

Methyl tert-butyl ether

Chloromethane

Naphthalene

2017. The results are below:

2-Chlorotoluene

n-Propylbenzene

4-Chlorotoluene

1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane

Dibromomethane

1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane

Date

Analysis Results

Analysis Results

Analyzed

Cypress Creek

Wilson Lake

1,2 -Dichlorobenzene

Tetrachloroethene

1,3 -Dichlorobenzene

Trichlorfluoromethane

Cryptosporidium

Giardia

Cryptosporidium Giardia

1,4 - Dichlorobenzene

Trichloroethene

01/2017

0.20 organisms/L

0.27 organisms/L

0.27 organisms/L

0.00 organisms/L

Dichlorodifluoromethane

1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene

02/2017

0.00 organisms/L

1.60 organisms/L

0.00 organisms/L

0.00 organisms/L

1,1-Dichloroethane

1,2,3-Trichloropropane

1,1-Dichloroethene

1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene

03/2017

0.48 organisms/L

1.80 organisms/L

070 organisms/L

0.00 organisms/L

cis-1,2-Dichloroethene

1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene

trans-1,2-Dichloroethene

04/2017

0.10 organisms/L

0.29 organisms/L

0.98 organisms/L

0.00 organisms/L

be viewed in the Water Department office between the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm,

05/2017

0.00 organisms/L

0.39 organisms/L

0.27 organisms/L

0.00 organisms/L

Monday through Friday. Appointments for reviewing are recommended.

06/2017

0.00 organisms/L

0.67 organisms/L

0.27 organisms/L

0.00 organisms/L

Required Additional Health Information

07/2017

0.00 organisms/L

1.00 organisms/L

0.10 organisms/L

0.00 organisms/L

To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes limits on the amount of certain

08/2017

0.00 organisms/L

0.19 organisms/L

0.00 organisms/L

0.00 organisms/L

contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits

for contaminants in bottled water.

09/2017

0.00 organisms/L

0.19 organisms/L

0.00 organisms/L

0.00 organisms/L

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

LEAD AND COPPER RULE MONITORING Lead and copper Rule (LCR) was

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

developed to protect public health by minimizing lead and copper levels in drinking

Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

water. The LCR established an action level of 0.015 mg/l for lead and 1.3 mg/l for

copper based on the 90th percentile level of tap water samples collected. Lead and

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes,

copper are sampled on a mandated three-year testing cycle with sampling conducted

streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land

at customer’s tap. Our 90th percentile for lead was 0.0035 mg/L. Our 90th percentile

or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and radioactive material,

for copper was 0.10 mg/L.

and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

LEAD If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially

((A) Microbiological contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from

for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from

sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and

materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The

wildlife.

City of Florence Water Department is responsible for providing high quality drinking

(B) Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be natural occurring or

water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When

result from urban storm runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and

your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead

gas production, mining, or farming.

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

(C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as

have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods and

agricultural, storm water runoff, and residential uses.

steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water

(D) Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organics, which are

Hotline or at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-

by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come

about-lead-drinking-water .

from gas stations, urban storm water runoff and septic systems.

UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS Radon is not a concern in water that comes from

(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

lakes, rivers, and reservoirs (called surface water), because the radon is released into

to drink, EPA prescribes regulations, which limit the amount of certain contaminants

the air before it arrives at your tap. The City of Florence is not required to test for radon,

in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for

and there is currently no federally-enforced drinking water standard for it. However,

contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public

there are other unregulated contaminants that were tested for in 2020 which can be

health.

found in this annual report.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water

ASBESTOS and DIOXIN Based on a study conducted by ADEM with the approval of

than is the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such

the EPA, a statewide waiver for the monitoring of asbestos and dioxin was issued. Thus

as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have

monitoring for these contaminants is not required.

undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune

system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from

SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENTS The City of Florence Water Department has

infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from

performed source water assessments for the Wilson Lake Treatment Plant located

their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to

on the Wilson Lake (Tennessee River) and the Cypress Creek Treatment Plant located

lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe

on Cypress Creek. In addition, assessments have been completed for Peck Lane and

Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

City of Florence, Alabama

PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

P.O. Box 1023, Florence, AL 35631

FLORENCE, AL

Florence Water/Wastewater Department

PERMIT NO. 152