Campbell County Central System

Municipal water, including bottled varieties, typically contains small amounts of various contaminants. The presence of these substances doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For comprehensive information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the USEPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Certain populations face higher vulnerability to water contaminants than others. Those with compromised immune systems—including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, individuals with HIV/AIDS, some elderly persons, and infants—should consult healthcare providers about their water consumption. The USEPA/CDC provides guidelines for reducing infection risks from Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants through their Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

The Otter River Water Treatment Plant (ORWTP) employs filtration processes that provide strong protection against Cryptosporidium, though complete elimination cannot be guaranteed in the finished water supply.

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels across land surfaces or underground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals, sometimes radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activity.

Potential source water contaminants include:
• Microbial contaminants like viruses and bacteria from sewage facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants including salts and metals occurring naturally or from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential usage
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from oil/gas production and mining

The USEPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems, while FDA regulations set similar standards for bottled water, both aiming to protect public health. Through a VDH program, detailed source water assessments have been completed for all Authority water sources, with information included in this report.

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