Cookeville Water Department

IS OUR MUNICIPAL WATER SAFE? YES, our water meets all EPA Health Standards. During 2016, we conducted over 6,437 tests for contaminants that might be present in municipal water. As shown in the Water Quality Data chart, we only detected 11 of these contaminants, all at safe levels. For Quality Control purposes, our Water Treatment Plant is staffed 24/7.

WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF MY TAP WATER? Our surface water comes from the Center Hill Lake (Mine Lick Creek). Sources of municipal water (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activity.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals that occur naturally or come from urban stormwater runoff, industrial/domestic wastewater, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from various sources including agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that can be naturally-occurring or result from oil/gas production and mining activities

To ensure tap water safety, EPA and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation establish regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. FDA regulations set similar limits for bottled water to provide equivalent public health protection. Our goal is to protect our water from contaminants by working with the State to assess vulnerability of our water source to potential contamination.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has prepared a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Report for untreated water sources. Water sources are rated as reasonably susceptible (high), moderately susceptible (moderate) or slightly susceptible (low) based on geological factors and human activities near the water source. The Cookeville Water Department system sources rated as moderately susceptible to potential contamination.

The City of Cookeville Water Treatment Plant can process 15 million gallons daily (MGD). In 2016, the average daily flow to consumers was 10.782 MGD, with an average Hardness of 69 ppm and PH of 8.40.

WHY ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN MY TAP WATER? All municipal water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: Some individuals may be more vulnerable to contaminants than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants may face higher infection risks. These individuals should seek advice about municipal water from their healthcare providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing Cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminant infection risks are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

LEAD INFORMATION: If present, elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in municipal water primarily comes from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Cookeville provides high-quality municipal water but cannot control the materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned about lead in your water, consider testing. Information about lead in drinking water, testing methods, and exposure reduction steps is available through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

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