CCR 2018 Pasco County Regional PWS-651.1361

2018 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Pasco County Utilities ‑ Pasco County Regional Water System
PWS ID No. 651-1361

Pasco County Utilities (PCU) is pleased to present the 2018 Annual Water Quality Report. This report is designed to inform Regional customers about the quality water and services delivered every day. PCU’s constant goal is to provide customers with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. This report is provided to better understand the efforts made to continually improve the water treatment process and protect water resources. 

The Pasco County Regional Water System is a member of the regional water supplier known as Tampa Bay Water (TBW). The Pasco County Regional Water System receives an estimated 95 percent of our drinking water from TBW-operated treatment plants. These plants supply a dynamic blend of groundwater, surface water, and desalinated water, depending on availability of supply. Water quality testing results for each of the individual TBW treatment plants are included in the following information.

The Pasco County Regional Water System’s primary water source is groundwater from a number of deep wells located throughout Pasco County. These wells draw from the Floridan Aquifer. The Alafia River, Hillsborough River, C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir and the Tampa Bypass Canal are the primary sources for the regional surface water supply. Hillsborough Bay is the primary source of seawater for the regional desalinated supply.

The Pasco County Regional Water System uses chloramines to disinfect the water supply. For more information on chloramines, please contact PCU Environmental Lab at 727-847-8902, or visit the PCU website at www.PascoCountyUtilities.com. For additional information or questions concerning TBW's water quality, please call 813-996-7009 or visit the TBW website at www.TampaBayWater.org.

Both PCU and TBW routinely monitor for contaminants in drinking water according to Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations. Except where indicated otherwise, this report is based on the results of monitoring for the period of January 1, to December 31, 2018. Data obtained before January 1, 2018, and presented in this report are from the most recent testing done in accordance with the laws, rules, and regulations. Because the concentrations of certain contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year, some of the data; e.g. for organic contaminants, though representative, may be more than one year old.

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.

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 be naturally occurring or result from urban storm water 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 storm water 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 storm water runoff, and septic systems.

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

 To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish 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 necessarily indicate that the 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 800-426-4791.

In 2018 the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) performed a Source Water Assessment on the PCU Regional Water System. The assessment was conducted to provide information about any potential sources of contamination in the vicinity of PCU Regional wells. There are four (4) potential sources of contamination identified for this system with a moderate susceptibility level. In 2018, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) also performed Source Water Assessments for Tampa Bay Water Facilities and a search of the data sources indicated no potential sources of contamination near the groundwater wells operated by TBW. The TBW surface water system assessment was also conducted by FDEP to provide information about any potential sources of contamination in the vicinity of surface water intake. The surface water system is considered to be at high risk because of the number of potential sources of contamination present in the assessment area. All assessment results are available by contacting PCU, TBW, or by accessing them on the FDEP Source Water Assessment and Protection Program (SWAPP) website at: https://fldep.dep.state.fl.us/swapp/DisplayPWS.asp?pws_id=6511361&odate=01-OCT-18

PCU has been monitoring for Unregulated Contaminants (UC) as part of a study to help the EPA determine the occurrence in drinking water of UC and whether or not these contaminants need to be regulated. At present, no health standards (for example, maximum contaminant levels) have been established for UC. However, PCU is required to publish the analytical results of the UC monitoring in the annual water quality report. For more information on the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminants Monitoring Rule (UCMR), please call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800- 426-4791. For additional information concerning UC sampling results for PWS 651-1361, or to request a hard copy, please contact PCU Water Operations Supervisor, Jim Kaplan, at (813)929-2755 Ext: 6882.

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/Center for Disease Control (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.

TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

The following table contains terms and abbreviations that might not be familiar. To help better understand the terms listed, the following definitions are provided:

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

Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA):  The average of sample analytical results for samples taken at a particular monitoring location during the previous four calendar quarters.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG):  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.

Maximum Contaminant Level (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 Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (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.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL):  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.

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.

ND:  Means “not detected” and indicates that the substance was not found by laboratory analysis.

N/A:  Means “not applicable”.

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

Key 

Note: The State allows PCU to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Therefore, some of the data, though representative, may be more than one year old. Results in the ‘Level Detected’ column for radioactive contaminants and inorganic contaminants are either the highest average at any of the sampling points or the highest detected level at any sampling point, depending on the sampling frequency. ‘Range of Results’ indicates the lowest and highest concentrations detected for each contaminant. If only one sample was taken, ‘Range of Results’ = N/A.

PASCO COUNTY REGIONAL TEST RESULTS TABLES

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. PCU is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing the 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 exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

For chloramines, or chlorine, the level detected is the highest running annual average (RAA), computed quarterly, of monthly averages of all samples collected.  The range of results is the range of results of all the individual samples collected during the past year.

For the following disinfectant residuals and disinfection by-products monitored under Stage 2 D/DBP regulations, the level detected is the highest Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA), computed quarterly, for any single sampling point. Range of Results is the range of individual sample results (lowest to highest) for all monitoring locations.

PCU encourages public participation in community decisions that affect drinking water. Regular Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meetings are traditionally held every other week at 10 a.m. Please call the West Pasco Government Center at 727-847-2411 to inquire on the exact date, time, and location for future BOCC meetings, or visit www.PascoCountyFL.net.

The meetings are held at one of the following locations:

West Pasco Government Center - Board Room
8731 Citizens Drive, New Port Richey, FL 34654                           

Historic Pasco County Courthouse - Board Room
37918 Meridian Avenue, Dade City, FL 33525

PCU would like customers to understand the efforts made to continually improve the water treatment process and protect water resources. PCU is committed to ensuring water quality. If there are any questions or concerns about the information provided, please call any of the numbers provided, or the PCU Laboratory Manager at 727-847-8902.

Tampa Bay Water’s Board of Directors meetings occur on the third Monday of every other month, at 9:30 a.m. at 2575 Enterprise Road, Clearwater, FL 33763-1102. The public is welcome. For more information about Tampa Bay Water, visit www.TampaBayWater.org. 

For more information or questions concerning TBW’s water quality, call 813-996-7009 or visit http://tampabaywater.org/drinking-water-quality.aspx.

A special message regarding safe disposal of medications:

PCU works around the clock to provide top quality water to every customer and asks that customers help to protect all water sources.

Please DO NOT FLUSH unused/unwanted medications down toilets or sink drains. More information is available at http://www.pascocountyfl.net/index.aspx?NID=3022.

TAMPA BAY WATER TEST RESULTS TABLES

"The results for the tables below are regulated by federal and state agencies. For a complete list including unregulated contaminants, please call Tampa Bay Water at 727-796-2355 or email records@tampabaywater.org"

Regulated Water Contaminants - Surface Water Sources Including Seawater Desalination

Regulated Water Contaminants - Surface Water Sources Including Seawater Desalination

Regulated Water Contaminants - Groundwater Sources

Regulated Water Contaminants - Groundwater Sources   

 Regulated Water Contaminants - Groundwater Sources   

Regulated Water Contaminants - Groundwater Sources

Regulated Water Contaminants - Groundwater Sources  

Regulated Water Contaminants - Groundwater Sources   

Regulated Water Contaminants - Groundwater Sources  

FOOTNOTES AND DEFINITIONS

Inorganic Contaminants: Results in the "Level Detected" column are the highest detected level at any sampling point.

Likely Source of Contamination:  Potential sources of contamination generally identified by the FDEP, Consumer Confidence Report Template Instructions and Template, FRWA/DEP, February 2018.                 

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 drinking 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 necessary 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. 

Monthly Operating Report: Report sent to Florida Department of Environmental Protection for public water systems treating raw ground water or purchased finished water.

N/A: Not applicable

Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU): Measure of the clarity of water.  Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person.

No Detect: Indicates the substance was not found by laboratory analysis.                                                             

Parts per billion or (ppb) or Micrograms per liter (ug/L):  One part by weight of analyte to 1 billion parts by weight of the water sample.

Parts per million or (ppm) or Milligrams per liter (Mg/L):  One part of weight of analyte to 1 million parts by weight of the water sample.

Picocurie per liter (pCi/L): Measure of the radioactivity in water.                                                                         

Radioactive Contaminants: Results in the "Level Detected" column are the highest detected level at any sampling point.

Sampling Point: Point of entry or point of connection to the distribution system where sample is collected.        

Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection By-Products:

• For bromate, the "Level Detected" is the highest running annual average (RAA), computed quarterly, of monthly averages of all samples collected. The range of results is the range of results of all the individual samples collected during the past year.
  
• For chlorine dioxide, the result in the "Level Detected" column is the highest single measurement collected at the entrance to the distribution system.
• For chlorite, the result in the "Highest Monthly Average" column is the highest monthly average from the three sample set collected in the distribution system.                                                                                                        
• For total organic carbon, the result in the "Lowest Running Annual Average Computed Quarterly Monthly Removal Ratio" column contains the lowest running annual average result of monthly removal ratios.                 

Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection By-Products: Results in the level detected for haloacetic acids and total trihalomethanes are based on a locational running annual average.  The range of results is lowest to highest at individual sampling sites.

Synthetic Organic Contaminants: Results in the "Level Detected" column are the highest detected level at any sampling point.

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

Turbidity: The result in the "Lowest Monthly Percentage" column is the lowest monthly percentage of samples reported in the Monthly Operation Report that meet the required turbidity limits.                                                    

Volatile Organic Contaminants:  Results in the "Level Detected" column are the highest detected level at any sampling point.