Metro Water Info

7
Water...the real taste of life! 2009 CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT

Transcript of Metro Water Info

Page 1: Metro Water Info

At Metro Water Services, our top priority is to provide our customers with a clean and safe water supply. As a department of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, we service 174,286 water accounts, providing drinking water to customers in Davidson County and portions of Rutherford and Williamson counties.

We are pleased to deliver our 2009 Consumer Confidence Report, which shows your water meets or exceeds all of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health standards and all state and federal requirements. For more information about Metro Water Services and the quality of your water, visit our Web site at www.nashville.gov/water.

Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua beber. Tradúzcalo ó hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

Important Health Information » Some people may be more vulnerable to impurities in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, those who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at-risk for infection. These people should seek advice from their health care providers about drinking water.

Delivering A Clean and

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174,286 Water Customers191,981 Sewer Customers 103 Sewer

PumpingStations

57 Water

Nashville’s water supply comes from the Cumberland River, which provides a steady and excellent source of water for both the K.R. Harrington and Omohundro water filtration plants. As the water journeys from the river to your tap, it goes through several steps to ensure its quality. First, it is screened to remove twigs and other sizable objects. Next, chemicals, known as coagulants, are added to the water and mixed well. As these chemicals leave the water, they remove contaminants such as mud and algae. The water then slowly flows through settling tanks, where larger particles are allowed to sink to the bottom. The water from the settling tanks passes through filters and becomes crystal clear. Before it enters the distribution system, a small amount of chlorine and fluoride are added to prevent bacteria from developing and help in preventing tooth decay.

The Journey of Your Water

The Cumberland River

Your Home

Water...the real taste of life!

2009

CO

NS

UM

ER

CO

NF

IDE

NC

E R

EP

OR

T

Page 2: Metro Water Info

At Metro Water Services, our top priority is to provide our customers with a clean and safe water supply. As a department of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, we service 174,286 water accounts, providing drinking water to customers in Davidson County and portions of Rutherford and Williamson counties.

We are pleased to deliver our 2009 Consumer Confidence Report, which shows your water meets or exceeds all of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health standards and all state and federal requirements. For more information about Metro Water Services and the quality of your water, visit our Web site at www.nashville.gov/water.

Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua beber. Tradúzcalo ó hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

Important Health Information » Some people may be more vulnerable to impurities in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, those who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at-risk for infection. These people should seek advice from their health care providers about drinking water.

Delivering A Clean and

Safe Water Supply

Pu

blic

Par

tici

pat

ion

The

pub

lic m

ay p

artic

ipat

e in

de

cisio

ns c

once

rnin

g w

ater

qua

lity

by a

tten

ding

the

Met

ropo

litan

C

ounc

il m

eetin

gs h

eld

on t

he fi

rst

and

third

Tue

sday

s of

eac

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onth

in

the

Cou

ncil

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mbe

rs in

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rtho

use,

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. Est

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ce C

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862-

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wat

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quire

abo

ut

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er b

ill

24-H

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r E

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ora

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Visi

t ou

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site

at

ww

w.n

ashv

ille.

gov/

wat

er

Imp

ort

ant

Nu

mb

ers

Alternate pipes

174,286 Water Customers191,981 Sewer Customers 103 Sewer

PumpingStations

57 Water

Nashville’s water supply comes from the Cumberland River, which provides a steady and excellent source of water for both the K.R. Harrington and Omohundro water filtration plants. As the water journeys from the river to your tap, it goes through several steps to ensure its quality. First, it is screened to remove twigs and other sizable objects. Next, chemicals, known as coagulants, are added to the water and mixed well. As these chemicals leave the water, they remove contaminants such as mud and algae. The water then slowly flows through settling tanks, where larger particles are allowed to sink to the bottom. The water from the settling tanks passes through filters and becomes crystal clear. Before it enters the distribution system, a small amount of chlorine and fluoride are added to prevent bacteria from developing and help in preventing tooth decay.

The Journey of Your Water

The Cumberland River

Your Home

Water...the real taste of life!

2008

CO

NS

UM

ER

CO

NF

IDE

NC

E R

EP

OR

T

Page 3: Metro Water Info

Every day, seven days a week, samples

of river, treated and finished water are tested in our laboratories to

ensure the highest quality for our

customers.

LMore information

about contaminants and potential health

effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental

Protection Agency’s Safe

Drinking Water Hotline at

1-800-426-4791.

Nashville is fortunate to have the Cumberland River as its abundant supply of water. The EPA has given the Cumberland River a good grade for water quality. For more information, visit http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/huc.cfm?huc_code=05130202.

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. A copy of the Water Assessment Report will be available for review at Metro Water’s Administrative Library, located at 1600 Second Ave. North. A source water assessment summary is available at www.state.tn.us/environment/dws/dwassess.shtml.

The Cumberland River Source is rated highly susceptible to potential contamination. Metro Water Services has two water treatment plants and has the ability to withdraw water from more than one river level to minimize the chance of contamination.

Water Quality TableMWS tests for 105 contaminants that may be present in drinking water. The tables below show those contaminants that were detected January 1 through December 31, 2008, all of which were at safe levels. If you would like a complete list of all substances for which we test, please call (615) 862-4494 to request a Water Quality Letter, or visit our Web site at www.nashville.gov/Water.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk.

To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain impurities in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration regulates bottled water.

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, wells, and, in Nashville’s case, the Cumberland River. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Impurities that may be present in source water include:

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

o Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm run-off, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.

o Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, storm water run-off and residential uses.

o Organic chemicals, including synthetic and volatile organics, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water run-off and septic systems.

o Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

Drawing From the River

Cryptosporidium » No cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in untreated river water during 2008. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

REGULATED AT THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT

Parameter and Units of Measure

Highest Average Level Detected

Range of Levels Detected MCL MCLG Major Sources of the Substance

Fluoride (mg/L) 1.01 0.89 - 1.24 4 4 Water additive that promotes strong teeth

Nitrate (mg/L) 0.25 0.09 - 0.41 10 10 Runoff from fertilizer use

Sodium (mg/L) 6.6 4.7 - 11.3 N/A N/A Natural deposit erosion

Turbidity (NTU) 0.12 0.05 - 0.18 TT = 1 NTU0

Natural river sediment. Turbidity is a measurement of water clarity, which aids in determining the effectiveness of our filters.

100.0% N/A TT = % of samples < 0.3 NTU

REGULATED IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Total Coliform 0.00% N/A 5% 0% Human and animal fecal waste

Total Trihalomethanes (THM) (µg/L) 29.6 18.5 - 48.0 80 0

Disinfection chemical (chlorine) combining with organic matter in the river water

Stage 2 DBP for IDSE 11.7 - 85.8

Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA) (µg/L) 28.2 23.6 - 40.9 60 0

Stage 2 DBP for IDSE 13.6 - 70.7

Chlorine (mg/L) 2.01 0.40 - 3.7 MRDL - 4 MRDLG - 4 Water additive used to control microbes

Total Organic Carbon* (mg/L) N/A N/A TT N/A Naturally present in the environment

Radium 228 (2006 analyses) pCi/L 2.85 <0.59 - 2.85 5 pCi/L 0 Erosion of natural deposits

REGULATED AT THE CUSTOMER’S TAP

Parameter 90th Percentile Sites Exceeding AL MCL MCLG Major Sources of the Substance

Copper (2007 analyses) (mg/L) 0.280 0 of 50 AL = 1.3 1.3Corrosion of household plumbing systems

Lead (2007 analyses) (µg/L) 2 0 of 50 AL = 15 0

* We met the treatment technique requirement for total organic carbon.

Terms Used In This Report

Sources of Drinking Water

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.

(mg/L): Milligrams per Liter or parts per million.

(µg/L): Micrograms per Liter or parts per billion.

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

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

NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units): Standard units for measurement of water clarity.

pCi/l (Picocuri per liter): Unit of measurement for radioactive substances.

MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water.

MRDLG (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health.

Metro Nashville’s Water Department #1 is required by state and federal regulations to test for specified unregulated organic and inorganic chemicals. This testing has been performed and reported. All results are available for public inspection at Metro Water Services, Central Laboratory, 1600 Second Ave. North. For more information, please contact Scott Dawson at 862-4591 or visit our Web site at www.nashville.gov/Water.

Lead Levels » 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. Metro Water Services 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 drinking 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 form the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Page 4: Metro Water Info

Every day, seven days a week, samples

of river, treated and finished water are tested in our laboratories to

ensure the highest quality for our

customers.

LMore information

about contaminants and potential health

effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental

Protection Agency’s Safe

Drinking Water Hotline at

1-800-426-4791.

Nashville is fortunate to have the Cumberland River as its abundant supply of water. The EPA has given the Cumberland River a good grade for water quality. For more information, visit http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/huc.cfm?huc_code=05130202.

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. A copy of the Water Assessment Report will be available for review at Metro Water’s Administrative Library, located at 1600 Second Ave. North. A source water assessment summary is available at www.state.tn.us/environment/dws/dwassess.shtml.

The Cumberland River Source is rated highly susceptible to potential contamination. Metro Water Services has two water treatment plants and has the ability to withdraw water from more than one river level to minimize the chance of contamination.

Water Quality TableMWS tests for 105 contaminants that may be present in drinking water. The tables below show those contaminants that were detected January 1 through December 31, 2008, all of which were at safe levels. If you would like a complete list of all substances for which we test, please call (615) 862-4494 to request a Water Quality Letter, or visit our Web site at www.nashville.gov/Water.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk.

To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain impurities in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration regulates bottled water.

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, wells, and, in Nashville’s case, the Cumberland River. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Impurities that may be present in source water include:

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

o Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm run-off, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.

o Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, storm water run-off and residential uses.

o Organic chemicals, including synthetic and volatile organics, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water run-off and septic systems.

o Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

Drawing From the River

Cryptosporidium » No cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in untreated river water during 2008. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

REGULATED AT THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT

Parameter and Units of Measure

Highest Average Level Detected

Range of Levels Detected MCL MCLG Major Sources of the Substance

Fluoride (mg/L) 1.01 0.89 - 1.24 4 4 Water additive that promotes strong teeth

Nitrate (mg/L) 0.25 0.09 - 0.41 10 10 Runoff from fertilizer use

Sodium (mg/L) 6.6 4.7 - 11.3 N/A N/A Natural deposit erosion

Turbidity (NTU) 0.12 0.05 - 0.18 TT = 1 NTU0

Natural river sediment. Turbidity is a measurement of water clarity, which aids in determining the effectiveness of our filters.

100.0% N/A TT = % of samples < 0.3 NTU

REGULATED IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Total Coliform 0.00% N/A 5% 0% Human and animal fecal waste

Total Trihalomethanes (THM) (µg/L) 29.6 18.5 - 48.0 80 0

Disinfection chemical (chlorine) combining with organic matter in the river water

Stage 2 DBP for IDSE 11.7 - 85.8

Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA) (µg/L) 28.2 23.6 - 40.9 60 0

Stage 2 DBP for IDSE 13.6 - 70.7

Chlorine (mg/L) 2.01 0.40 - 3.7 MRDL - 4 MRDLG - 4 Water additive used to control microbes

Total Organic Carbon* (mg/L) N/A N/A TT N/A Naturally present in the environment

Radium 228 (2006 analyses) pCi/L 2.85 <0.59 - 2.85 5 pCi/L 0 Erosion of natural deposits

REGULATED AT THE CUSTOMER’S TAP

Parameter 90th Percentile Sites Exceeding AL MCL MCLG Major Sources of the Substance

Copper (2007 analyses) (mg/L) 0.280 0 of 50 AL = 1.3 1.3Corrosion of household plumbing systems

Lead (2007 analyses) (µg/L) 2 0 of 50 AL = 15 0

* We met the treatment technique requirement for total organic carbon.

Terms Used In This Report

Sources of Drinking Water

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.

(mg/L): Milligrams per Liter or parts per million.

(µg/L): Micrograms per Liter or parts per billion.

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

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

NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units): Standard units for measurement of water clarity.

pCi/l (Picocuri per liter): Unit of measurement for radioactive substances.

MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water.

MRDLG (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health.

Metro Nashville’s Water Department #1 is required by state and federal regulations to test for specified unregulated organic and inorganic chemicals. This testing has been performed and reported. All results are available for public inspection at Metro Water Services, Central Laboratory, 1600 Second Ave. North. For more information, please contact Scott Dawson at 862-4591 or visit our Web site at www.nashville.gov/Water.

Lead Levels » 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. Metro Water Services 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 drinking 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 form the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Page 5: Metro Water Info

At Metro Water Services, our top priority is to provide our customers with a clean and safe water supply. As a department of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, we service 174,286 water accounts, providing drinking water to customers in Davidson County and portions of Rutherford and Williamson counties.

We are pleased to deliver our 2009 Consumer Confidence Report, which shows your water meets or exceeds all of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health standards and all state and federal requirements. For more information about Metro Water Services and the quality of your water, visit our Web site at www.nashville.gov/water.

Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua beber. Tradúzcalo ó hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

Important Health Information » Some people may be more vulnerable to impurities in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, those who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at-risk for infection. These people should seek advice from their health care providers about drinking water.

Delivering A Clean and

Safe Water Supply

Pu

blic

Par

tici

pat

ion

The

pub

lic m

ay p

artic

ipat

e in

de

cisio

ns c

once

rnin

g w

ater

qua

lity

by a

tten

ding

the

Met

ropo

litan

C

ounc

il m

eetin

gs h

eld

on t

he fi

rst

and

third

Tue

sday

s of

eac

h m

onth

in

the

Cou

ncil

Cha

mbe

rs in

the

Met

ro

Cou

rtho

use,

One

Pub

lic S

quar

e.

AD

A I

nfo

rmat

ion

If yo

u ne

ed a

ssist

ance

or

an

acco

mm

odat

ion,

ple

ase

cont

act

Jose

ph A

. Est

es, S

r., 16

00 S

econ

d A

ve.

Nor

th, N

ashv

ille,

TN

372

08-2

206

or

(615

) 86

2-48

62.

PRSR

T S

TD

U

.S.

POST

AG

E

PAID

PER

MIT

107

8N

ASH

VILL

E, TN

Co

mm

un

icat

ion

S

ervi

ces

(615

) 86

2-44

94

Educ

atio

nal p

rogr

ams

abou

t w

ater

, sto

rmw

ater

an

d w

aste

wat

er o

r qu

estio

ns a

bout

you

r w

ater

qu

ality

rep

ort

Cu

sto

mer

S

ervi

ce C

ente

r (6

15)

862-

4600

To

sta

rt o

r ch

ange

wat

er

serv

ice

or in

quire

abo

ut

your

wat

er b

ill

24-H

ou

r E

mer

gen

cy N

um

ber

(615

) 86

2-46

00

Con

stru

ctio

n qu

estio

ns,

wat

er q

ualit

y co

ncer

ns o

r to

rep

ort

a le

ak

in t

he s

tree

t

Cu

sto

mer

C

on

nec

tio

ns

(615

) 86

2-72

25W

ater

and

sew

er

conn

ectio

n pe

rmits

Bac

kflow

P

reve

nte

r In

spec

tio

n

(615

) 86

2-45

62

Cen

tral

Lab

ora

tory

(6

15)

862-

4591

Visi

t ou

r Web

site

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174,286 Water Customers191,981 Sewer Customers 103 Sewer

PumpingStations

57 Water

Nashville’s water supply comes from the Cumberland River, which provides a steady and excellent source of water for both the K.R. Harrington and Omohundro water filtration plants. As the water journeys from the river to your tap, it goes through several steps to ensure its quality. First, it is screened to remove twigs and other sizable objects. Next, chemicals, known as coagulants, are added to the water and mixed well. As these chemicals leave the water, they remove contaminants such as mud and algae. The water then slowly flows through settling tanks, where larger particles are allowed to sink to the bottom. The water from the settling tanks passes through filters and becomes crystal clear. Before it enters the distribution system, a small amount of chlorine and fluoride are added to prevent bacteria from developing and help in preventing tooth decay.

The Journey of Your Water

The Cumberland River

Your Home

Water...the real taste of life!

2008

CO

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UM

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NC

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Page 6: Metro Water Info

Every day, seven days a week, samples

of river, treated and finished water are tested in our laboratories to

ensure the highest quality for our

customers.

LMore information

about contaminants and potential health

effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental

Protection Agency’s Safe

Drinking Water Hotline at

1-800-426-4791.

Nashville is fortunate to have the Cumberland River as its abundant supply of water. The EPA has given the Cumberland River a good grade for water quality. For more information, visit http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/huc.cfm?huc_code=05130202.

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. A copy of the Water Assessment Report will be available for review at Metro Water’s Administrative Library, located at 1600 Second Ave. North. A source water assessment summary is available at www.state.tn.us/environment/dws/dwassess.shtml.

The Cumberland River Source is rated highly susceptible to potential contamination. Metro Water Services has two water treatment plants and has the ability to withdraw water from more than one river level to minimize the chance of contamination.

Water Quality TableMWS tests for 105 contaminants that may be present in drinking water. The tables below show those contaminants that were detected January 1 through December 31, 2008, all of which were at safe levels. If you would like a complete list of all substances for which we test, please call (615) 862-4494 to request a Water Quality Letter, or visit our Web site at www.nashville.gov/Water.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk.

To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain impurities in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration regulates bottled water.

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, wells, and, in Nashville’s case, the Cumberland River. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Impurities that may be present in source water include:

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

o Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm run-off, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.

o Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, storm water run-off and residential uses.

o Organic chemicals, including synthetic and volatile organics, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water run-off and septic systems.

o Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

Drawing From the River

Cryptosporidium » No cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in untreated river water during 2008. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

REGULATED AT THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT

Parameter and Units of Measure

Highest Average Level Detected

Range of Levels Detected MCL MCLG Major Sources of the Substance

Fluoride (mg/L) 1.01 0.89 - 1.24 4 4 Water additive that promotes strong teeth

Nitrate (mg/L) 0.25 0.09 - 0.41 10 10 Runoff from fertilizer use

Sodium (mg/L) 6.6 4.7 - 11.3 N/A N/A Natural deposit erosion

Turbidity (NTU) 0.12 0.05 - 0.18 TT = 1 NTU0

Natural river sediment. Turbidity is a measurement of water clarity, which aids in determining the effectiveness of our filters.

100.0% N/A TT = % of samples < 0.3 NTU

REGULATED IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Total Coliform 0.00% N/A 5% 0% Human and animal fecal waste

Total Trihalomethanes (THM) (µg/L) 29.6 18.5 - 48.0 80 0

Disinfection chemical (chlorine) combining with organic matter in the river water

Stage 2 DBP for IDSE 11.7 - 85.8

Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA) (µg/L) 28.2 23.6 - 40.9 60 0

Stage 2 DBP for IDSE 13.6 - 70.7

Chlorine (mg/L) 2.01 0.40 - 3.7 MRDL - 4 MRDLG - 4 Water additive used to control microbes

Total Organic Carbon* (mg/L) N/A N/A TT N/A Naturally present in the environment

Radium 228 (2006 analyses) pCi/L 2.85 <0.59 - 2.85 5 pCi/L 0 Erosion of natural deposits

REGULATED AT THE CUSTOMER’S TAP

Parameter 90th Percentile Sites Exceeding AL MCL MCLG Major Sources of the Substance

Copper (2007 analyses) (mg/L) 0.280 0 of 50 AL = 1.3 1.3Corrosion of household plumbing systems

Lead (2007 analyses) (µg/L) 2 0 of 50 AL = 15 0

* We met the treatment technique requirement for total organic carbon.

Terms Used In This Report

Sources of Drinking Water

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.

(mg/L): Milligrams per Liter or parts per million.

(µg/L): Micrograms per Liter or parts per billion.

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

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

NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units): Standard units for measurement of water clarity.

pCi/l (Picocuri per liter): Unit of measurement for radioactive substances.

MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water.

MRDLG (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health.

Metro Nashville’s Water Department #1 is required by state and federal regulations to test for specified unregulated organic and inorganic chemicals. This testing has been performed and reported. All results are available for public inspection at Metro Water Services, Central Laboratory, 1600 Second Ave. North. For more information, please contact Scott Dawson at 862-4591 or visit our Web site at www.nashville.gov/Water.

Lead Levels » 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. Metro Water Services 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 drinking 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 form the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Page 7: Metro Water Info

At M

etro Water Services, our top priority is to provide our

customers w

ith a clean and safe water supply. A

s a department

of the Metropolitan G

overnment of N

ashville and Davidson

County, w

e service 174,286 water accounts, providing drinking

water to custom

ers in Davidson C

ounty and portions of R

utherford and William

son counties. W

e are pleased to deliver our 2009 Consum

er Confidence

Report, w

hich shows your w

ater meets or exceeds all of the

United States Environm

ental Protection Agency (EPA

) health standards and all state and federal requirem

ents. For more

information about M

etro Water Services and the quality of your

water, visit our W

eb site at ww

w.nashville.gov/w

ater.

Este in

form

e con

tiene in

form

ación

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agua b

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.

Imp

ortan

t Health

Info

rmatio

n »

Some people m

ay be m

ore vulnerable to impurities in drinking w

ater than the general population. Im

muno-com

promised persons such as cancer

patients undergoing chemotherapy, those w

ho have undergone organ transplants, people w

ith HIV

/AID

S or other imm

une system

disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly

at-risk for infection. These people should seek advice from

their health care providers about drinking w

ater.

De

live

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Cle

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an

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Safe

Wate

r Sup

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Public ParticipationThe public may participate in decisions concerning water quality by attending the Metropolitan Council meetings held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in the Council Chambers in the Metro Courthouse, One Public Square.

ADA InformationIf you need assistance or an accommodation, please contact Joseph A. Estes, Sr., 1600 Second Ave. North, Nashville, TN 37208-2206 or (615) 862-4862.

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT 1078

NASHVILLE, TN

Communication Services (615) 862-4494 Educational programs about water, stormwater and wastewater or questions about your water quality report

Customer Service Center (615) 862-4600 To start or change water service or inquire about your water bill

24-Hour Emergency Number(615) 862-4600 Construction questions, water quality concerns or to report a leak in the street

Customer Connections (615) 862-7225Water and sewer connection permits

Backflow Preventer Inspection (615) 862-4562

Central Laboratory (615) 862-4591

Visit our Web site at www.nashville.gov/water

Important Numbers

Alternate pipes174,286 W

ater Custom

ers191,981 Sew

er Custom

ers103 Sew

erPum

pingStations

57 Water

Nashville’s w

ater supply comes from

the Cum

berland River,

which provides a steady and excellent source of w

ater for both the K.R

. Harrington and O

mohundro w

ater filtration plants. A

s the water journeys from

the river to your tap, it goes through several steps to ensure its quality. First, it is screened to rem

ove twigs and other sizable objects. N

ext, chemicals, know

n as coagulants, are added to the w

ater and mixed w

ell. As these

chemicals leave the w

ater, they remove contam

inants such as m

ud and algae. T

he water then slow

ly flows through settling tanks, w

here larger particles are allow

ed to sink to the bottom. T

he water

from the settling tanks passes through filters and becom

es crystal clear. Before it enters the distribution system

, a small am

ount of chlorine and fluoride are added to prevent bacteria from

developing and help in preventing tooth decay.

Th

e Jo

urn

ey o

f Yo

ur W

ate

r

The C

umberland R

iver

You

r Ho

me

Water...the real taste of life!

2008 CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT