City of Shelby Water Company

The City of Shelby takes immense pride in delivering high-quality municipal water to its residents. This annual water quality report outlines our water source, presents testing results, and provides essential information about your tap water and health implications.

Shelby officials will immediately notify residents if any water quality concerns arise. We're pleased to demonstrate how we've consistently exceeded water-quality standards! Our commitment remains providing safe, reliable water while keeping you informed of our ongoing efforts.

Water Source: Shelby's municipal water comes from the First Broad River flowing along the city's western edge. We're permitted to withdraw up to 18 million gallons daily (MGD) from this source, with the ability to utilize the Broad Water as a secondary backup supply for up to 9 MGD.

Treatment Process: Our water treatment facility at 801 West Grover Street transfers river water into three on-site reservoirs with a three-day raw water storage capacity. The plant, built in 1953 and upgraded in 1994, can produce 12 MGD.

The treatment process includes adding caustic soda to adjust pH and aluminum sulfate (alum) to coagulate particles. Water then flows through settling basins where heavier contaminants are removed, followed by filtration to trap remaining particles. We add chlorine to prevent bacterial growth and fluoride to support dental health. Our distribution network includes 221 miles of water lines and four above-ground storage tanks.

Staff continuously conduct tests at the plant and throughout the distribution system to ensure water quality. We routinely monitor for over 150 contaminants in accordance with Federal and local regulations. The tables in our report show contaminants detected during January-December 2017.

Both regulated and unregulated contaminants are listed, including each substance's name, maximum allowed level (MCL), public health goals, detected amounts, likely contamination sources, and measurement units. Unregulated contaminants are those without established EPA drinking water standards, monitored to help determine if future regulation is warranted.

The presence of certain contaminants doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. Some substances are monitored less frequently as their concentrations rarely change year to year.

Key Definitions:

• Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant permitted in drinking water.
• Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The contaminant level below which no known or expected health risks exist, allowing for a safety margin.

How Do I...

1. Where does City of Shelby water come from?
   City of Shelby supplies surface water to Shelby, North Carolina.
2. Does City of Shelby test its tap water?
   Yes. Like every public water system, City of Shelby must test its water under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and publish an annual water quality report (Consumer Confidence Report). Ask the utility for the latest report or look for it on its website.
3. How do I contact City of Shelby?
   Call 704-484-6866 or visit 300 South Washington Street, Shelby, NC 28151, or use the contact options on the utility’s website.
4. Does City of Shelby water contain lead?
   Water usually leaves the treatment plant without lead. Lead can enter tap water from older service lines, solder and brass fixtures inside homes, especially when water sits in the pipes. Run the tap before drinking if water has been sitting, and ask the utility about lead testing and service line records.
5. Is City of Shelby water hard?
   Hardness depends on the source and changes over time. The annual water quality report lists hardness, or you can test it at home. If it is above about 7 grains per gallon, a water softener sized to your measured hardness will stop scale and spotting.