water quality report 2011

The Treatment Process

GRU treats water pumped from the Floridan Aquifer. The treatment process includes lime softening, recarbonation, filtration, fluoridation and disinfection. This water quality report is submitted to customers as required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Department of Environ-mental Protection in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Except where indicated otherwise, this report is based on the results of GRU’s monitoring for the period of January 1 through December 31, 2010. Data obtained before January 1, 2010, and presented in this report, are from the most recent testing done in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations. The state allows GRU to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Therefore, some data, though represen-tative, may be more than one year old.

GRU is a municipally-owned utility, governed by the Gainesville City Com-mission. The commission meets at City Hall, 200 East University Avenue, Gainesville, Fla., on the first and third Thursday of every month.

We are pleased to report that our drinking water continues to meet all federal and state requirements!

GRU routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water in accordance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations.

Source Water Assessment

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection performed Source Water Assessments on GRU’s system in 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2009. The assess-ments were conducted to provide information about any potential sources of contamination within a 0.24-mile radius of GRU wells. Petroleum storage tanks were identified in the assessments as a potential source of contamination with a moderate concern level. The assessment results are available on the FDEP Source Water Assessment and Protection Program Web site at www.dep.state.fl.us/swapp.

If you have any questions about the Water Quality Report, please contact:

Rae Hafer, P.E. Utility Engineer IV Water & Wastewater Engineering 352-393-1635

Rick Davis Manager Murphree Water Treatment Plant 352-393-6512

Tony Cunningham, P.E. Senior Engineer Water & Wastewater Engineering 352-393-1615

Additional information is available at www.gru.com.

VALUEValue of tap water

➜ For 120 years, GRU has provided clean, safe, great-tasting water to residents in the Gainesville area at a tremendous value.

➜ If you drink eight glasses of water every day for an entire year, the cost is 36 cents — not 36 cents per glass, but 36 cents total for all two thousand nine hundred and twenty glasses of water!

➜ Our network provides water to more than 65,000 house-holds and businesses in the community at a fraction of the cost of bottled water. In fact, for the cost of a typical gallon of bottled water you receive 1,000 gallons of water from GRU!

➜ Bottled water and our community tap water are not regulated by the same standards. The United States Environmental Protection Agency regulates our water, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates the bottled water industry.

➜ GRU is required to protect water from the source to the point of use — your home or business.

➜ A 2010 study by consumer advocacy group Food & Water Watch showed that an estimated 48 percent of bottled water is actually just tap water in a bottle.

Quality of water supplyGRU draws water directly from one of the purest sources of water in the world: the Floridan Aquifer. We have one of the country’s premiere well field protection plans and own the development rights to more than 7,000 acres to prevent construction near the water supply wells.

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Water use has decreased! Conservation is the most cost-effective way to plan for the future water needs of our community; it is the first step in ensuring safe, clean water for future generations. It is more cost-effective to reduce water use in your own home or business than it is to build and staff a new water treatment facility.

GRU uses a conservation rate structure, through which customers who use the lowest amount of water pay the least on a per-thousand gallons basis. Since GRU began using this rate structure, per capita water use has decreased. The conservation rate system has proven to be one of the most effective efforts to conserve the community’s water supply and save customers money.

Gainesville has reduced its water usaGe by 14% since 2006!

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Reducing your water use can help lower your bill and conserve for the future. By making water-efficiency upgrades to your home or business, you can cut down on water waste and save money.

Eligible GRU water customers can receive a $50 maintenance rebate for the evaluation of an in-ground irrigation system and a $25 rebate per system for the installation of a rain

sensor. GRU was the first utility in the state of Florida to offer these rebates and works with Alachua County and the St. John’s River Water Management District to help the community conserve water and protect local water bodies.

For more information on our rebate programs, visit www.gru.com and click “Lower My Bill,” or contact the Conservation Services Depart-ment at 352-393-1460.

conservation proGrams and rebates

Fluoride: adhering to new regulationsThe Center for Disease Control, American Dental Association (ADA) and Florida Department of Health continue to validate fluoridation of drinking water as a worthwhile and important practice in promoting dental health. ADA research has shown that optimally fluoridated water can reduce dental problems by 20-40 percent.

GRU ensures recommended fluoride levels by rigorously monitoring those levels and strictly adhering to certification standards.

In 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the EPA recommended new standard levels of fluoride for drinking water. GRU was able to meet these proposed standards, putting the new recommendations into effect and working for the continued protection of the health of customers.

NSF Internationalwww.nsf.org

Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. www.ul.com/water

Water Quality Associationwww.wqa.org

orGanizations that certify home filtration systems:

IrrIgATIoNSAFETyWe protect your water from the source to the tapYour safety and the safety of our community’s drinking water are of the highest importance to GRU. Before water arrives at your faucet, it is carefully tested and monitored at GRU’s Murphree Water Treatment plant, which treats and supplies all the tap water in Gainesville.

Using an at-home filtration system is a matter of taste and is not a necessity. Your water is safe to drink straight out of the tap. Check with the manufacturer to see if the device is certified by one of these organizations, and if it is not, ask for proof of the manufacturer’s claims.

Commitment to protecting our waterOn Feb. 2, 2011, the EPA released a 703-page Record of Decision describing the final $90 million cleanup plan for the Cabbot Carbon/Koppers Superfund site. No contamination from the site has ever appeared in Gainesville’s drinking water, and GRU is committed to making sure that it never does.

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IrrIgATIoNSAFETy Understanding the irrigation regulationsOn an average day, GRU delivers more than 20 million gallons of water to more than 175,000 people in the Gainesville urban area. During periods of low rainfall, usually from April to June, the demand increases considerably to 30 million gallons per day. Most of this increase is due to irrigation.

Overwatering wastes water and damages your lawn. The St. John’s River Water Management District mandates lawn watering restrictions for GRU’s entire service area. Follow the restrictions below to help keep your lawn healthy in a less costly, more efficient way.

�Time��of�Year

Daylight Savings Time

Eastern Standard Time

Wednesday & Saturday

Saturday

Thursday & Sunday

Sunday

Tuesday & Friday

Tuesday

�Odd-numbered�Addresses

�Even-numbered�Addresses

�Business��Properties

Note: Daylight Savings Time is from March 13th through November 6th.

remember to:

➜ water before 10 am or after 4 pm

➜ water for one hour or less per zone, up to ¾ of an inch

➜ water on your scheduled day

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contaminant and unit of measurement

dates of samplinG (mo./yr.)

mcl violation y/n

level detected

ranGe of results

mclG mcl likely source of contamination

radiological Contaminants

Radium 226 + 228 or combined radium (pCi/L)

4/08 N 0.3 NA 0 5 Erosion of natural deposits

Inorganic Contaminants

Arsenic (ppb) 3/08 N 0.95 NA NA 10 Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards; runoff from glass and electronics production wastes

Barium (ppm) 3/08 N 0.007 NA 2 2 Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits

Fluoride (ppm) 01/10 – 12/10 N 0.80 0.73 – 0.80 4 4.0 Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories. Water additive which promotes strong teeth when at optimum levels between 0.7 and 1.3 ppm

Sodium (ppm) 3/08 N 11 NA NA 160 Salt water intrusion, leaching from soil

Volatile organic Contaminants

Toluene (ppm) 4/08 N 0.00041 NA 1 1 Discharge from petroleum factories

disinfectant or contaminant and unit of measurement

dates of samplinG (mo./yr.)

mcl or mrdl violation y/n

level detected

ranGe of results

mclG or mrdlG mcl or mrdl likely source of contamination

Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection By-Products

Chlorine (ppm) 1/10 – 12/10 N 0.95 0.24 – 1.43 MRDLG = 4 MRDL = 4.0 Water additive used to control microbes

HAA5 [Haloacetic Acids] (five) (ppb)

7/10 N 8.6 7.6 – 9.8 NA MCL = 60 By-product of drinking water disinfection

TTHM [Total trihalomethanes] (ppb)

7/10 N 43.7 30.9 – 57.1 NA MCL = 80 By-product of drinking water disinfection

containment and unit of measurement

dates of samplinG (mo./yr.)

al violationy/n

90th percen-tile result

no. of samplinG sites exceedinG the al

mclG al(action level)

likely source of contamination

Lead and Copper (Tap Water)

Copper (tap water) (ppm) 9/10 N 0.015 0 1.3 1.3 Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives

Lead (tap water) (ppb) 9/10 N 1.4 0 0 15 Corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits

contaminant and unit of measurement

dates of samplinG (mo./yr.)

mcl violation y/n

hiGhest result

ranGe of results

mclG mcl likely source of contamination

Odor (threshold odor number) 3/08, 4/08, 7/08 Y 8 t.o.n. ND (1.0) – 8 NA 3 Naturally occurring organics

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious problems, especially in pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Gainesville Regional Utilities 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 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.

Water�Quality�Test�Results

Secondary�Contaminants

contaminant and unit of measurement

dates of samplinG (mo./yr.)

mcl violation y/n

level detected

ranGe of results

mclG mcl likely source of contamination

radiological Contaminants

Radium 226 + 228 or combined radium (pCi/L)

4/08 N 0.3 NA 0 5 Erosion of natural deposits

Inorganic Contaminants

Arsenic (ppb) 3/08 N 0.95 NA NA 10 Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards; runoff from glass and electronics production wastes

Barium (ppm) 3/08 N 0.007 NA 2 2 Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits

Fluoride (ppm) 01/10 – 12/10 N 0.80 0.73 – 0.80 4 4.0 Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories. Water additive which promotes strong teeth when at optimum levels between 0.7 and 1.3 ppm

Sodium (ppm) 3/08 N 11 NA NA 160 Salt water intrusion, leaching from soil

Volatile organic Contaminants

Toluene (ppm) 4/08 N 0.00041 NA 1 1 Discharge from petroleum factories

disinfectant or contaminant and unit of measurement

dates of samplinG (mo./yr.)

mcl or mrdl violation y/n

level detected

ranGe of results

mclG or mrdlG mcl or mrdl likely source of contamination

Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection By-Products

Chlorine (ppm) 1/10 – 12/10 N 0.95 0.24 – 1.43 MRDLG = 4 MRDL = 4.0 Water additive used to control microbes

HAA5 [Haloacetic Acids] (five) (ppb)

7/10 N 8.6 7.6 – 9.8 NA MCL = 60 By-product of drinking water disinfection

TTHM [Total trihalomethanes] (ppb)

7/10 N 43.7 30.9 – 57.1 NA MCL = 80 By-product of drinking water disinfection

containment and unit of measurement

dates of samplinG (mo./yr.)

al violationy/n

90th percen-tile result

no. of samplinG sites exceedinG the al

mclG al(action level)

likely source of contamination

Lead and Copper (Tap Water)

Copper (tap water) (ppm) 9/10 N 0.015 0 1.3 1.3 Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives

Lead (tap water) (ppb) 9/10 N 1.4 0 0 15 Corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits

contaminant and unit of measurement

dates of samplinG (mo./yr.)

mcl violation y/n

hiGhest result

ranGe of results

mclG mcl likely source of contamination

Odor (threshold odor number) 3/08, 4/08, 7/08 Y 8 t.o.n. ND (1.0) – 8 NA 3 Naturally occurring organics

A routine monitoring sample collected on March 24, 2008 had an odor level of 8 t.o.n., exceeding the odor MCL. A sample of Ultrafiltered High Performance Liquid Chromotography-grade water also exceeded the odor MCL. GRU took action to coordinate

with the analytical laboratory to revise their Quality Control measures. Three follow-up samples were all below the minimum detection level. Given the frequency of sampling for other water quality indicators, GRU does not believe that its finished water delivered to customers

exceeded odor limits, and it was due to testing procedures problems. As a point of information, odor limits are based on consumer preference, not health concerns.

Glossaryaction level (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 drink-ing 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 nec-essary 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.

no detection (nd): Indicates the substance was not found by laboratory analysis.

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.

parts per billion (ppb) or micrograms per liter (µg/l): one part by weight of analyte to 1 billion parts by weight of the water sample.

picocurie per liter (pci/l): measure of the radioactivity in water.

appendix aNone of the following potential contaminants were detected in your water supply: Fecal coliform and E. coli, Beta particles and photo emitters, Antimony, Asbestos, Beryllium, Cad-mium, Chromium, Cyanide, Lead and Copper (Leaving our treatment plant), Mercury, Nitrite (as Nitrogen), Selenium, Thallium, 2,4-D, 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), Alachlor, Atrazine, Benzo(a)pyrene (PAH), Carbofuran, Chlordane, Dalapon, Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, Di(2-ethylhexyl phthalate), Dibromochloropropane (DBCP), Dinoseb, Diquat, Endothall, Endrin, Ethylene dibromide, Glyphosate, Heptachlor, Heptachlor epoxide, Hexachlorobenzene, Hexachlorocyclopentadi-ene, Lindane, Methoxychlor, Oxamyl [Vydate], PCBs [Polychlorinated biphenyls], Penta-chlorophenol, Picloram, Simazine, Toxaphene, Benzene, Carbon tetrachloride, Chloroben-zene, o-Dichlorobenzene, p-Dichlorobenzene, 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethylene, cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, trans-1,2-Dichloroeth-ylene, Dichloromethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, Ethylbenzene, Styrene, Tetrachloroethylene, 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, Trichloroethylene, Vinyl Chloride, Xylenes, Aluminum, Iron, Manganese, Silver, Zinc, Dimethoate, Terbufos sulfone, BDE-47, BDE-99, 2,4,5-HBB, BDE-153, BDE-100, 1,3-Dinitrobenzene, TNT, RDX, Acetochlor, Metolachlor, Acetochlor ESA, Acetochlor OA, Alachlor ESA, Alachlor OA, Metolachlor ESA, Metolachlor OA, NDBA, NDEA, NDMA, NDPA, NMEA, NPYR

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appendix bThe 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, radio-active 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:

(A) 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 occur naturally or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.

(C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.

(D) 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.

(E) Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations es-tablish 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 neces-sarily 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 Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Some people may be more vulnerable to con-taminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons, such as persons with cancer undergoing chemo-therapy, 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 infec-tions. 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).

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