Cicero

The Town of Cicero evaluates the water supply daily for chlorine levels to maintain optimal amounts for residents' health needs. Bacteriological samples are collected monthly, while annual sampling for Total Trihalomethane (TTHM) analysis is conducted. Lead and copper monitoring follows IEPA scheduling requirements, with all testing performed according to IEPA standards.

Municipal water, including bottled varieties, can reasonably be expected to contain at least trace amounts of certain contaminants. The presence of these substances doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

The EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems to ensure safety. Similarly, FDA regulations set limits for contaminants in bottled water to provide equivalent public health protection. Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population, including those with compromised immune systems, cancer patients undergoing treatment, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, some elderly individuals, and infants.

Lead Information: Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in tap water primarily comes from materials and components in service lines and home plumbing. Lead enters water when service pipes containing lead corrode, especially in acidic or low mineral content water. Brass or chrome-plated brass fixtures with lead solder often release significant amounts of lead, particularly in hot water. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead-containing plumbing components.

The Safe Drinking Water Act has reduced the maximum allowable lead content to a weighted average of 0.25% across wetted surfaces of plumbing components and 0.2% for solder and flux. The EPA has set the maximum contaminant level goal for lead at zero because it's a toxic metal that can harm human health even at low exposure levels and bioaccumulates over time.

Reducing Lead Exposure:

• Flush your taps before using water for drinking or cooking, especially after periods of non-use
• Only use cold water for drinking, cooking, and baby formula preparation
• Run cold water until it becomes as cold as possible
• Note that boiling water does not remove lead

Bathing and showering remain safe even with water containing lead above EPA's action level, as skin doesn't absorb lead from water. For concerns about lead in your water, consider testing. More information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Source Water Contaminants: Both tap and bottled water sources include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive material, and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activity.

Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial Contaminants: viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic Contaminants: salts and metals occurring naturally or from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and Herbicides: from various sources including agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential use
• Organic Chemical Contaminants: synthetic and volatile organic compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive Contaminants: naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production and mining activities

Detecting Water Leaks

There's a simple way to check for small household leaks. Turn off all fixtures inside your home or building and observe the meter for 5-10 minutes to determine if water continues flowing. Most meters feature a small red or black triangle (flow-finder) that indicates even minimal leaks. If you notice the flow-finder turning, you likely have a leak. Toilets are the most common source of leaks, typically due to worn flapper valves in the tank.

Preventing Contamination

• All garden irrigation systems should have double check valve assemblies, tested annually with results submitted by May 31
• Never leave hoses submerged in pools or open containers (sprayers, buckets, drums, etc.)
• Avoid connecting any direct equipment to plumbing connected to the District's system
• Install screw-on vacuum breakers on each outdoor tap to protect against contamination through garden hoses

Payment Policies

Big Creek Water District has designated Cut Off Days for past due accounts. An account becomes delinquent after the 30-day payment period expires. If payment isn't received by 8 am on Cut Off Day, service is disconnected and a $50.00 reconnect fee applies in addition to the outstanding balance. Tampering with meters (cutting locks or unauthorized reconnection) is a criminal offense with liability consequences, including a $200 meter reset fee plus full balance payment before service restoration.

Water Sources

Big Creek Water comes from two sources: Anderson Regional Joint Water System (drawing from Lake Hartwell) and the Greenville Water System (drawing from Table Rock Reservoir on the South Saluda River, Poinsett Reservoir on the North Saluda River, and Lake Keowee). Water is accessed through four metering stations. For detailed information about your municipal water, please refer to our Annual Drinking Water Quality Report on this website.