Source Water Assessment

The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 required DHEC to perform a source water assessment for all drinking water supplies in South Carolina. This assessment consists of the following key elements: determining the geographic boundaries for each water supply, preparing a list of potential contamination sources within each area and assessing the potential for pollutants to enter the water supply. DHEC has completed the source water assessment for our water system. Potential contaminants identified in the report include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), petroleum products, metals, nitrates, pesticides/herbicides, and pathogens. Potential sources of these contaminants include gas stations, dry cleaners, agricultural areas, automobile repair shops, septic systems, and facilities where potential contaminants are used or stored.

We test our drinking water for more than 150 substances. Most of the results show that contaminants are not present in our drinking water, but there are some exceptions. The tables on the following pages list all the regulated drinking water contaminants that were detected during the 2020 Calendar year, except if otherwise noted. Most samples were taken at the treatment plant at a point just before the water enters our distribution system, but trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, and lead and copper compliance samples were monitored from customer taps throughout the distribution system. State and federal regulations do not require us to examine the water for all contaminants during each calendar year. The information provided in these tables represents the most recent samples taken in accordance with the applicable regulations.

For more information about the state’s source water assessment program or watersheds, visit www.scdhec.gov/environment/your-water-coast/source-water-protection. Please contact Bryan Bates at 864-580-5691 or bbates@spartanburgwater.org for more information about our source water assessment.

Where Does Our Water Come from?

Spartanburg Water draws water from three man-made Lakes: Lake William C. Bowen, Municipal Reservoir #1, and Lake H. Taylor Blalock.

Lake Bowen, formed by the South Pacolet River and its tributaries, flows into Municipal Reservoir #1. The entire watershed for these lakes lies in Spartanburg and Eastern Greenville Counties. The R.B. Simms Water Treatment Facility treats the water from these lakes.

The North Pacolet River and its tributaries combine with the Lake Bowen/Reservoir #1 system to form Lake Blalock. The watershed for this lake lies in South Carolina and North Carolina. The Myles W. Whitlock, Jr. Water Treatment Facility treats the water from Lake Blalock.

What’s in Our Water?

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. These substances are called “contaminants.”

IMPORTANT

HEALTH INFORMATION

Certain individuals can be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking

CONTAMINANTS THAT CAN BE PRESENT IN WATER INCLUDE:

• 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 runoff and residential use;
• 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.

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 EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791). The EPA and DHEC prescribe strict regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants allowed in tap water to ensure that it is safe to drink. The FDA establishes limit regulations for contaminants present in bottled water and also must provide protection for the public health.

water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons, such as persons with cancer and who are undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplant, persons with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly and infants can be particularly at risk for infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/Centers for Disease Control guidelines on the appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Contaminant

Total Coliform

COLIFORM BACTERIA MEASURED IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Typical Source

Naturally present in the environment

Units of Measurement

• ppm (Parts per Million): This is the same as milligrams per liter, or the equivalent of one penny out of ten thousand dollars.
• ppb (Parts per Billion): This is the same as micrograms per liter, or the equivalent of one penny out of ten million dollars.
• SU (Standard Units): Unit of measure to indicate how acidic or basic water is on the pH scale.
• NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units): Units of measure to indicate water clarity.

On April 1, 2016 SCDHEC required Public Water Systems to implement the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR).

*Under RTCR a Treatment Technique (TT*) violation is defined as any of the following:

• E. Coli-positive repeat sample following a total coliform-positive routine sample
• Total coliform-positive repeat sample following an E. coli routine sample
• Failure to take all required repeat samples following an E. coli-positive routine sample
• Failure to test for E. coli when any repeat sample tests positive for total coliform

Violation Type

Water Quality Parameter (WQP) Level Non-Compliance (LCR)

Violation Begin

07/01/2020

Violation End

12/31/2020

Violation Explanation

Water samples showed that pH levels in certain parts of our water distribution system fell below optimum water quality parameters used to consistently control the natural corrosivity of our drinking water for the period indicated. Optimal water quality parameters are utilized to minimize the potential for lead and copper in our drinking water.

WATER QUALITY TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS:

• AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.
• MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): 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.
• MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): 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.
• MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level): 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.
• MRDLG (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal): The level of a disinfectant in drinking water 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 contamination.
• LRAA (Locational Running Annual Average): The average concentration at a particular location for four consecutive quarters.
• NA (Not Applicable): Does not apply.
• ND (Not Detected): Not detected or below detection limits.
• TT (Treatment Technique): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

OUR MISSION is to provide quality water and wastewater services to our region in a reliable manner.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Please contact the Spartanburg Water Customer Service Department at 864-582-6375 if you have any questions about Spartanburg Water or this report. Learn more about Spartanburg Water by visiting our website at www.spartanburgwater.org.

COMMISSION MEETINGS

The Commissioners of Public Works of the City of Spartanburg, SC, meet regularly throughout the year. The meetings are held at: Spartanburg Water Main Offce, 200 Commerce Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. For more information and a meeting schedule, please contact Trish Heatherington at 864-580-5643.

OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON DRINKING WATER

EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791

www.epa.gov/your-drinking-water/safe-drinking-water-hotline

National Sanitation Foundation 1-800-673-6275

www.nsf.org/knowledge-library/topic/consumer-resources/drinking-water

SCDHEC

www.scdhec.gov/environment/your-home/drinking-water

ESTE INFORME CONTIENE INFORMACION ACERCA DEL AGUA POTABLE.

Si usted desea recibir una copia de este informe en idioma español, communiqués con Atencion al Cliente at 1-864-582-6375.

SPARTANBURG WATER

P.O. Box 251, Spartanburg, SC 29304