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Is Port Orange Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:49 pm, August 6, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Port Orange?

Yes, Port Orange's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Port Orange has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Port Orange's water utility, City of Port Orange, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. This assessment is based on the City of Port Orange water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Port Orange Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Port Orange tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Port Orange's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Port Orange Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named City of Port Orange for Port Orange in Florida. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

Is there Lead in Port Orange Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Port Orange water system, City of Port Orange, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0024 mg/L of lead in Port Orange water. This is 16.0% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Port Orange contained more lead.

While Port Orange water testing may have found 0.0024 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Port Orange Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Orlando NTC - near Port Orange with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Port Orange has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
show details
Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
show details
Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
show details
Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
show details
Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Port Orange Water - Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO WE DO THIS?
We have 40 wells that go down to the Floridan Aquifer to provide water to the City of Port Orange, Ponce Inlet, and the Shores. The Garnsey Water Plant rotates which wells they use so that they are not drawing water from the same few wells. All drains in your home or business flow into the same sewer pipe and are labeled as wastewater. All the wastewater comes to our Water Reclamation Facility where it goes through several biological processes. This water then becomes reuse (reclaimed) water. We are leaders in creating a 100% reuse system. In efforts to help restore the Halifax River, the City of Port Orange avoids discharging to the Halifax River unless this discharge is completely unavoidable. Reuse water is then sent to you, the customers, to use for irrigation. This means less people are pulling water from ground sources and conserving aquifer water.
HOW DO I CONTACT PORT ORANGE CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Port Orange water provider, City of Port Orange, please use the information below.
By Phone: 386-506-5759
By Mail: CITY OF PORT ORANGE
1000 CITY CENTER CIRCLE
PORT ORANGE, FL, 32129
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR CITY OF PORT ORANGE
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their City of Port Orange account to pay their Port Orange water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your City of Port Orange bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Port Orange water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Port Orange water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP PORT ORANGE WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Port Orange means you will often need to put the water in your name with City of Port Orange. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Port Orange means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with City of Port Orange. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Port Orange tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 33% Low
  • Water Pollution 49% Moderate
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 67% High
  • Water Quality 51% Moderate

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Port Orange, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Port Orange Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Port Orange's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

Aerial Photo of Garnsey Water Plant

This report will be mailed to customers only upon request and is also available at the City of Port Orange Website, City Hall and Library.

The City of Port Orange is pleased to present to you this year's Annual Drinking Water Quality Report. This report is designed to inform you about the quality water and services we deliver to you every day. Our constant goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. We want you to understand the efforts we make to continually improve the water treatment process and protect our water resources. We are committed to ensuring the quality of your water.

Our water source is ground water, which the City of Port Orange draws from the Floridan aquifer through 40 deep water wells.

Ground water from the Floridan aquifer is pumped to the Garnsey Water Plant where subsequent treatment includes aeration, water softening, 4-log disinfection using sodium hypochlorite and liquid ammonia sulfate to form a chloramine residual, pH stabilization using carbon dioxide, fluoridation for dental protection, and filtration to further clarify the water.

In 2020 the Florida Department of Environmental Protection performed a Source Water Assessment on our system. The assessment was conducted to provide information about any potential sources of contamination in the vicinity of our wells. There are 9 potential sources of contamination identified for this system with low to moderate susceptibility levels. The assessment results are available on the FDEP Source Water Assessment and Protection Program website at https://fldep.dep.state.fl.us/swapp or they can be obtained from the Garnsey Water Plant staff by calling (386) 506-5770.

SWAPP Results 2020:

https://fldep.dep.state.fl.us/swapp/DisplayPWS.asp?pws_id=3641044&odate=01-OCT-20

We are pleased to report that our drinking water meets all federal and state requirements. If you have any questions about this report or concerning your water utility, please contact our Water Production Manager, Ms. Christina Potts at (386) 506-5770. Additionally, City Council meetings that are regularly held are available for the public to attend and participate in decisions that may affect water quality. The City Council meets at 1000 City Center Circle, Port Orange FL 32129 in the council chambers. City council meetings are normally held on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm. The schedule of City Council meetings that are open to the public can be viewed at https://www.port-orange.org/meetings/. The EPA also offers additional information at their Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791.

The City of Port Orange Garnsey Water Plant routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations. Except where indicated otherwise, this report is

based on the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2020. The data presented in this report is from the most recent testing done in accordance with the regulations.

Throughout this report, you may find unfamiliar terms and abbreviations. To help you better understand these terms we've provided the following definitions below:

-Action Level or AL: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

-Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: 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.

-Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: 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.

-Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level or MRDL: The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

-Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal or MRDLG: The level of a 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.

-Parts per Billion (ppb) or Micrograms per Liter (ᶙg/L): One part by weight of analyte to 1 billion parts by weight of the water sample

-Parts per Million (ppm) or Milligrams per liter (mg/l): One part by weight of analyte to 1 million parts by weight of the water sample

-Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water

Inorganic Contaminants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contaminant

 

 

Dates of

 

 

MCL

 

 

Level

 

 

Range of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Unit of

 

 

sampling

 

 

Violation

 

 

 

 

 

 

MCLG

 

 

MCL

 

 

Likely Source of Contamination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detected

 

 

Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Measurement

 

 

(mo./yr.)

 

 

Y/N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrate (as

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching

 

 

 

07/20

 

 

N

0.04

 

0.039-0.04

 

10

 

10

 

 

from septic tanks, sewage, erosion of

 

 

 

Nitrogen) (ppm)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

natural deposits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural deposits; discharge

 

 

 

Fluoride (ppm)

01/20

 

 

N

0.49

 

 

N/A

4.0

 

4.0

 

 

from fertilizer and aluminum factories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water additive promoting strong teeth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

when at optimum level of 0.7 ppm

 

 

 

Sodium (ppm)

01/20

 

 

N

34.7

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

160

 

 

Salt water intrusion, leaching from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

soil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discharge of drilling wastes;

 

 

 

Barium (ppm)

01/20

 

 

N

0.0052

 

 

N/A

2

 

2

 

 

discharge from metal refineries;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disinfectants and Disinfection By-Products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disinfectant

 

 

Dates of

 

 

MRDL

 

 

Level

 

 

Range of

 

 

 

 

 

MCL or

 

 

Likely Source of

 

 

and Unit of

 

 

sampling

 

 

Violation

 

 

 

 

 

 

MRDLG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detected

 

 

Results

 

 

 

 

MRDL

 

 

Contamination

 

 

Measurement

 

 

(mo./yr.)

 

 

Y/N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chloramines and

 

01/20 –

 

N

3.3

 

0.6-4.6

 

4.4

 

 

MRDL=4.0

 

Water additive used to control

 

 

Chlorine (ppm)

12/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

microbes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haloacetic Acids

07/20

 

 

N

18.8

 

16.4-18.8

 

 

N/A

 

MCL=60

 

By-product of drinking water

 

 

(HAA5) (ppb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

By-product of drinking water

 

 

Trihalomethanes

07/20

 

 

N

20.6

 

10.8 - 20.6

 

 

 

MCL=80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

disinfection

 

 

(TTHM) (ppb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unregulated Contaminants (UCMR4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contaminant and Unit of

 

 

Dates of

 

 

Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sampling

 

 

Detected

 

 

Range

 

 

Likely Source of Contamination

 

 

Measurement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(mo./yr.)

 

 

(average)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manganese (ppm)

01/20

 

0.00049

 

0.00049

 

 

Naturally occurring from soil leaching

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bromide (ppb)

01/20

 

92.6

 

92.6

 

 

Naturally occurring in the environment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Organic Carbon (ppb)

01/20

 

7240

 

7240

 

 

Naturally occurring in the environment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAA5 (sum of 5 Haloacetic

01/20

 

17.3

 

16.2-17.3

 

 

By-Product of drinking water disinfection

 

 

Acids) (ppb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HHA6Br (sum of 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brominated Haloacetic

01/20

 

2.6

 

2.5-2.6

 

 

By-Product of drinking water disinfection

 

 

Acids) (ppb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAA9 (sum of 9 Haloacetic

01/20

 

19.5

 

18.4-19.5

 

 

By-Product of drinking water disinfection

 

 

Acids) (ppb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The City of Port Orange Garnsey Water Plant has been monitoring for UC as part of a study to help the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determine the occurrence in drinking water of UC and whether or not these contaminants need to be regulated. At present, no health standards (for example, maximum contaminant levels) have been established for UC. However, we are required to publish the analytical results of our UC monitoring in our annual water quality report. If you would like more information on the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminants Monitoring Rule (UCMR), please call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Photo of leaf with water droplet. The
circular water droplet shows a reflection of a
lake with mountains in the background.

Lead and Copper (Tap Water)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No. of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contaminant

Dates of

 

 

AL

90th

 

 

sampling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Unit of

sampling

 

 

exceeded

Percentile

 

 

sites

 

MCLG

 

AL

 

 

Likely Source of Contamination

 

 

Measurement

(mo./yr.)

 

 

Y/N

Result

 

 

exceeding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the AL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper (tap water)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corrosion of household plumbing

 

 

06/20

 

 

N

0.077

 

0

 

1.3

 

1.3

 

 

systems; erosion of natural deposits;

 

 

(ppm)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

leaching from wood preservatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead (tap water)

06/20

 

 

N

2.4

 

0

 

0

 

15

 

 

Corrosion of household plumbing

 

 

(ppb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

systems, erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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. (insert name of utility) 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.

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:

  1. Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.

(B) Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.

  1. Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
  2. 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 stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
  3. Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or

be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations, which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.

 

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 the 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 Bottle VS Tap Water

Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

 

High Service Pumps at
Garnsey Water Plant

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 Cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

We at The City of Port Orange Garnsey Water Plant would like you to understand the efforts we make to continually improve the water treatment process and protect our water resources. The City of Port Orange Garnsey Water Plant has been the recipient of numerous regional and state awards demonstrating that our system is recognized as one of the best in the State of Florida in meeting and exceeding regulatory requirements. We are committed to ensuring the quality of your water. If you have any questions or concerns about the information provided, please feel free to call any of the numbers listed.

Garnsey Water Plant: 386-506-5770

Christina Potts (Plant Manager): 386-506-5773

Customer Service: 386-506-5720

Lab Operations: 386-506-5790

Everything we use, buy, sell, and eat takes water to make!

The water footprint measures the amount of water used to produce each of the goods and services we use. It can be measured for a single process, such as growing rice; for a product, such as a pair of jeans; for the fuel we put in our car; or for an entire multi-national company.

The water footprint can also tell us how much water is being consumed on a global scale down to a specific river basin or the aquifer.

According to the US EPA, the average American uses about 100 gallons of water daily.

Our aquifer, the Floridan Aquifer, is a valuable and finite source. Water conservation helps to keep our water sources plentiful and delays the need to implement of a more expensive alternative water source in the future.

The City of Port Orange strives to be leaders in our community for conserving our natural resources.

How do we do this?

We have 40 wells that go down to the Floridan Aquifer to provide water to the City of Port Orange, Ponce Inlet, and the Shores. The Garnsey Water Plant rotates which wells they use so that they are not drawing water from the same few wells.

All drains in your home or business flow into the same sewer pipe and are labeled as wastewater. All the wastewater comes to our Water Reclamation Facility where it goes through several biological processes. This water then becomes reuse (reclaimed) water.

We are leaders in creating a 100% reuse system. In efforts to help restore the Halifax River, the City of Port Orange avoids discharging to the Halifax River unless this discharge is completely unavoidable.

Reuse water is then sent to you, the customers, to use for irrigation. This means less people are pulling water from ground sources and conserving aquifer water.

Where does the extra unused reclaimed water go if it is no longer going to the Halifax River? The City of Port Orange designed 2 large recharge reservoirs off SR415 that the Water Reclamation Facility sends the extra reuse water when the demand for it is low. This water can then be pulled from the lakes and used as reuse water when the demand is high. By making these lakes, the city created an amazing ecosystem that is full of wildlife, that helps prevent discharge to, and helps protect the Halifax River.

Satellite image of Lake A and B

Exploding Lightbulb filled with water and plant

Do not leave the water running while brushing your teeth

Find and fix leaks- a leaky toilet or faucet can waste thousands of gallons of water and result in a high water bill!

Install low-flow toilets and showerheads

Take shorter showers

Only wash full loads of laundry

Only run the dishwasher when it is full

Do not over water your lawn and check your sprinklers! Check the city’s website for current watering restrictions.

Use mulch around plants and shrubs Repair/replace hoses that leak and any broken

sprinklers

Sign up for AquaHawk! This free program allows you to view your water usage and set up alerts for excessive water usage. It is a great tool to see how much water you are using daily and will help you find

out if you have a leak before you receive a high water bill. For more information or to sign up for this free service, log onto: https://portfl.aquahawk.us/login

Do not flush or put down the drain things like cotton swabs, makeup pads, tampons and their applicators, maxi pads and wrappers, kitty litter, band aids, whitening strips,

diapers, dental floss, plastics and food wrappers, hair, prescription medications, OTC medications, baby wipes, facial wipes, and even flushable wipes!

Flushing these items can cause backups in your home and throughout the sewer system, sometimes resulting in sewer overflows, can complicate water treatment processes and can ultimately contaminate the environment.

The City of Port Orange has a used cooking oil collection container located at the Water Reclamation Facility (817 Oak Street at the Corner of Oak Street and Spruce Creek Road). Please bring used cooking oil here for disposal OR place in a container at home and throw away in a garbage can.

Take great care to not overuse pesticides and fertilizers on your lawns.

Do not litter, that includes releasing balloons into the air! Throwing trash on the ground can be harmful to local wildlife.

Please DO NOT FLUSH your unused/unwanted medications down toilets or sink drains. The Port Orange Police Department accepts unused or expired medications for proper disposal. More information is available at:http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/medications/pages/disposal.htm.

Contaminants


City of Port Orange

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 67898
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Groundwater
  • Total: 10

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Other Detected Contaminants

  • Aluminum
  • Chlorate
  • Chromium (total)
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Nitrate
  • Strontium
  • Vanadium

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

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