ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT
CITY OF HAHIRA
102 SOUTH CHURCH STREET
HAHIRA, GA. 31632

The City of Hahira Water Department is proud to report that our Drinking Water meets and/or exceeds all requirements as set forth by the State of Georgia (EPD) and the U.S. Government (EPA) for the year 2008.

We all depend on our water supply to be protected from contaminants that could threaten our health. This report contains important information regarding city water quality, where your water comes from, the parameters for the detection of contaminants and how your drinking water compares to those parameters as set forth by the regulatory agencies. No contaminants were detected in the drinking water for the year 2008.

The City of Hahira performs hundreds of water quality tests each year in addition to those required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division (EPD).  This pro-active approach ensures that our citizens receive the highest quality drinking water.

The City of Hahira Water Department during the year 2008 conducted tests on drinking water for more than 85 water parameters to insure the water you drink is safe. Water samples are collected in the distribution system to monitor the quality of water once it has left the treatment plant. These monitors are located throughout our treatment plant and in the distribution system to continuously monitor our water quality.

The Environmental Protection Division (EPD) continues to increase the number of required water sampling to further insure our safe water. The City Water Department is committed to providing each citizen with clean, safe and reliable drinking water. If you have questions or would like more information on the water program in Hahira please contact the Public Works Department at 229-794-3747.

Drinking water, including bottle 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 contacting the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

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 by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Drinking water sources, tap 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 substance resulting from the presence of animals and/or from human activity.

In the fall of 2006, our water system exceeded the MCL for trihalomethanes (TTHM).  Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) over many years experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increase risk of getting cancer.  This is not an emergency and does not pose a threat to the quality of water supplied.  The supplier has taken corrective actions to insure that adequate monitoring and reporting will be maintained.  Our system has returned to compliance.

*Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria may come from sewage treatment plants, livestock operations, septic system, and wildlife.

*Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals that occur naturally from urban runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, and farming.

*Pesticides and Herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture urban storm water runoff, and residential uses.

*Organic chemicals contaminants, such as synthetic or volatile organic chemicals that are by- products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can come from urban storm water runoff and septic systems.

* Radioactive contaminants, which occur naturally, or the results of oil and gas production and mining activities.

The City of Hahira's drinking water comes from two municipal groundwater wells.  These wells are located on Randall Street at the 75,000-gallon water storage tank and on Tillman Street at the 150,000 water storage tanks. These wells pump water from the Upper Floridian Aquifer and pump water from a depth greater than 300 feet.

The water characteristics from ground water sources do not change as rapidly as those in surface water. The City of Hahira performs water treatment at both of the well sites as required by the State of Georgia EPD and the U.S. Government EPA's clean water act.  These treatments include disinfections with gas chlorine and a fluoride treatment.

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

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious 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. [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 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 is available from Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http:www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

TERMS, DEFINITION & ABBREVIATION

These are the terms and definitions and the abbreviation that are commonly used in water treatment.

(ppb) = Parts Per Billion: One part per billion is equivalent to one minute in 2,000 years or the same as one penny in ten million dollars.

(ppm) = Parts per Million: One part per million is equivalent to one minute in 2 years or one penny in ten thousand dollars

(MCL)= Maximum Contaminant Levels; The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water.

(MCLG) = Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: The level of contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health.

(AL) = Action Level: The concentration of which, when exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a system must follow.

(n/a) = not applicable

(TT) = Treatment Technique: A treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the levels of a contaminant in drinking water.

Maximum contaminant levels or MCL's are set at very stringent levels. To understand the possible health effects described for many regulated constituents, a person would have to drink (2) two liters of water every day at the MCL level for a lifetime to have one-in-a million chance of having the described health effects.

The City of Hahira must monitor copper and lead in the drinking water system from time to time. The lead and copper samples are not monitored in the main system but in the individual homes where the plumbing could contain lead solder and copper tubing or copper pipes. Test results have shown that the levels contained are within the limits set forth in the Safe Drinking Water Standards.

The City of Hahira in 2008 will continue to replace damaged meters and research new ways to improve our water system.

The state’s climatologist has stated that North Georgia remains locked in a stubborn drought despite welcome rainfall through the winter and early spring. Because of these drought conditions across Georgia, the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) continues to maintain a level two-drought response for all Georgia citizens, including those on private wells. This declaration requires that we immediately follow a more stringent outdoor water use schedule.  City of Hahira Officials encourages all citizens to continue water conservation practices.

The City of Hahira Council meets at 7:30 pm the first Thursday in each month at the Court House located on West Main Street. All citizens are encouraged to attend and participate in these meetings. 

Reports for the year January 1, through December 31, 2008 are available for public review at the Public Works Office on Hall Street. These reports include the following;

Organic synthetic and volatile
Inorganic
Nitrates
Lead and Copper

The City of Hahira is very proud of the water system and the fact that we can provide each citizen with water that is safe, clean, and reliable. The City of Hahira will continue to provide this service and to make improvements to service and water quality.

City of Hahira Public Works Dept