Is Jackson Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Is my drinking water safe? Yes, our water meets all of EPA’s health standards. We have conducted numerous tests for contaminants that may be in drinking water. As you’ll see in the chart on the back, we only detected a few of these contaminants. We found all of these contaminants at safe levels.

What is the source of my water? Your water, which is surface water, comes from Old Gainesboro Road Utility District, which comes from the Center Hill Lake (Mine Lick creek). Our goal is to protect our water from contaminants 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 serving this water system. The SWAP Report assesses the susceptibility of 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 Jackson County Utility District sources rated as reasonably susceptible to potential contamination.

An explanation of Tennessee’s Source Water Assessment Program, the Source Water Assessment summaries, susceptibility scorings and the overall TDEC report to EPA can be viewed online at https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/wr-water- resources/water-quality/source-water-assessment.html or you may contact the Water System to obtain copies of specific assessments.

Why are there contaminants in my water? Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. Community water systems are required to disclose the detection of contaminants; however, bottled water companies are not required to comply with this regulation. 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).

Is our water system meeting other rules that govern our operations? The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled water) includes 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 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.
• 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 Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation prescribe regulations which limit 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. For more information call EPA hot line at (800-426-4791).

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

Other Information Due to all water containing dissolved contaminants, occasionally your water may exhibit slight discoloration. We strive to maintain the standards to prevent this. We at Jackson County Utility District work around the clock to provide top quality water to every tap. We ask that all our customers help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community, our way of life and our children’s future.

Do I Need 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 under-gone 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 not only their drinking water, but food preparation, personal hygiene, and precautions in handling infants and pets 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).

Water System Security Following the events of September 2001, we realize that our customers are concerned about the security of their drinking water. We urge the public to report any suspicious activities at any utility facilities, including treatment plants, pumping stations, tanks, fire hydrants, etc to 931-268-2880.

Lead in Drinking Water 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 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 and 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

Pharmaceuticals In Drinking Water Flushing unused or expired medicines can be harmful to your drinking water. Learn more about disposing of unused medicines at http://tdeconline.tn.gov/rxtakeback/

How can I get involved? If you have any questions or concerns, please call or come by our Office. Our Board meets on the third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the utility office. Please feel free to participate in these meetings. If you have any items that you wish to address, please call the office at 931-268-2880 to be placed on the agenda.

For more information about your drinking water, please call Brandon Holland at 931-268-2880 or come by our office between 8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday-Friday, at 1478 N. Grundy Quarles Highway, Gainesboro TN 38562

Este informe contiene información muy importante. Tradúscalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

A cross connection is a connection between a drinking water pipe and a polluted source. The pollution can come from your own home. For instance, you’re going to spray fertilizer on your lawn. You hook up your hose to the sprayer that contains the fertilizer. If the water pressure drops (say because of fire hydrant use in the town) when the hose is connected to the fertilizer, the fertilizer may be sucked back into the drinking water pipes through the hose. Using an attachment on your hose called a backflow-prevention device can prevent this problem.

The Jackson County Utility District recommends the installation of backflow prevention devices, such as a low cost hose bib vacuum breaker, for all inside and outside hose connections. You can purchase this at a hardware store or plumbing supply store. This is a great way for you to help protect the water in your home as well as the drinking water system in your town! For additional information on cross connections and on the status of your water system’s cross connection program contact our office.

Selection of Jackson County Utility Board Members.

The Commissioners of The Jackson County Utility District serve four year terms. Vacancies on the Board are filled by appointment by the Jackson County Mayor from a list of three nominees certified by the Board of Commissioners to the Jackson County Mayor to fill a vacancy. Decisions by the Board of Commissioners on customer complaints brought before the Board of Commissioners under the District’s customer complaint policy may be reviewed by the Utility Management Review Board of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation pursuant to Section 7-82-702(7) Of Tennessee code annotated.

“In accordance with the Federal law and the U. S. Department of

Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue., S.W., Washington, D. C. 20250-9410, or call

(800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).”