City of atlanta water quality report

City of Atlanta Water Quality Report
Atlanta has consistently received awards for the quality, clarity and taste of the water supply. Over 50, 000 tests are used to screen for more than 150 possible contaminants. Throughout 2009 residential meters were replaced with automated meter reader capability. Atlanta is now in the process of a three-year valve and hydrant identification plan. Atlanta’s water supply comes from rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs and wells. Contaminants that are screened for include pesticides and herbicides which recur from ground runoff into the water supply, microbial contaminants which are bacteria and/or viruses. Microbial contaminants can come from sewage treatment plants, livestock and wild life. Inorganic contaminants are salts and metals and can be naturally occurring in soil and river beds. Organic chemicals can be synthetic and volatile and are by products of industrial processes and petroleum production (http://www. atlantawatershed. org/pdf/WQR2009. pdf). They can also come from gas stations or septic systems.
The EPA has strict guidelines regarding pollutants in water, the food and drug administration provides guidelines for bottled water that is sold to citizens. The main source of the Atlanta water supply is the Chattahoochee River, providing 75 % of the drinking water, processed by two water plants.
Total coliform detected in the water supply was 1. 4 % in 2009. The detected level of turbidity was 0. 4 %, both of these are within acceptable range and likely explained as naturally occurring. Turbidity was found in 100% of samples, probably a result of runoff. Turbidity is the cloudiness of the water or unsettling of sediment. Both copper and lead were well below the threshold of the action level, which is when this contaminant would require some further treatment. Chlorine and fluoride are additives and within their respective proper ranges of detection. Organic contaminants noted were likely the byproduct of drinking water and naturally occurring. Water pollution of unacceptable adulterants do not appear to be a problem with Atlanta and they have consistently been well within limits.
The Atlanta regional commission and the Metropolitan North Georgia water planning district both sponsor and collaborate for the ‘ Clean Water Campaign’ which focuses on public education and the negative effects of soil runoff and water pollution (http://www. atlantaregional. com/environment/water/clean-water-campaign). It is estimated that over a thousand stream miles are in Atlanta violate state standards. Though this is treated and taken care it is still a problem. This campaign teaches individuals how to be a part of the solution and prevent further pollution of the water supply.
Unfortunately when it comes to Atlanta’s water supply and ratings web sites vary with quality reports and statements. Despite this I found no information stating that Atlanta’s water supply was not within allowable limits for drinking water or bottled water.
References
Environmental Planning Division. (n. d.). Source Water Assessment Project. Source Water Assessment Project. Retrieved November 29, 2011, from http://www. atlantaregional. com/File%20Library/Environment/SWAP_ATLANTA_RESULTS. PDF
City of Atlanta. (2009). City of Atlanta Water Quality Report. Atlanta Watershed. Retrieved November 29, 2011, from http://www. atlantawatershed. org/pdf/WQR2009. pdf
Clean Water Campaign | Home. (n. d.). Retrieved November 29, 2011, from http://www. cleanwatercampaign. com/