Blue Ridge Water Company Inc

Where does our water originate? Blue Ridge Rural Water Company sources water from two distinct locations. Our primary water sources are Lakes Robinson and Cunningham. Lake Cunningham serves as the main intake point, while Lake Robinson, constructed in the early 1970s, represents the future water supply for the 150 square mile region serving both Greer Commission of Public Works (CPW) and Blue Ridge Rural Water Company. Currently, our agreement permits withdrawal of up to 4.6 million gallons daily, with planned increases every five years to accommodate growth.

Our secondary source is the Poinsett Reservoir, owned and managed by Greenville Water System, allowing us to withdraw approximately three-quarters of a million gallons daily from this resource.

How is our water treated? As a distribution company, Blue Ridge Rural Water Company purchases most of its water from Greer CPW. The Commission uses a chlorine/ammonia blend for disinfection to safeguard against waterborne illnesses. They also add small amounts of caustic soda for pH balance, a polyphosphate for corrosion control, and fluoride for dental health. Greer CPW treats 80% of all water distributed to our members, while Greenville Water System, our secondary source, uses similar treatment methods.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires annual Water Quality Reports to include the following information:

1. All municipal water, including bottled varieties, may contain small amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
2. EPA regulations limit contaminant levels in public water systems to ensure safety, while FDA regulations establish similar protections for bottled water.
3. Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. Immunocompromised persons, including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, elderly individuals, and infants may face higher infection risks. These people should consult healthcare providers about drinking water safety. Guidelines for reducing Cryptosporidium and other microbial contamination risks are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
4. Unfiltered water may contain organisms like viruses, bacteria, and giardia, which in sufficient numbers can cause symptoms including diarrhea, cramps, headaches, and fatigue. The EPA has determined these organisms are better controlled through filtration requirements rather than maximum contaminant levels (MCLs).
5. Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water primarily comes from service line materials and home plumbing components. While we provide high-quality water, we cannot control plumbing material choices. To reduce potential lead exposure after water has been sitting for several hours, flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned about lead, consider having your water tested. Information about lead in drinking water is available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
6. Municipal water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals, sometimes radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activity.

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