Corbin Utilities Commission

The Corbin Utilities Commission (CUC) (PWS ID # KY-1180085) is proud to present our Annual Water Quality Report. This document informs you about the quality water and services we deliver daily. Our mission is to provide a safe, reliable water supply to over 19,500 residents.

We want to assure the public that we continuously monitor, improve, and protect our water system to deliver high-quality water directly to your tap. Water is the most essential resource in every household, and we encourage everyone to conserve and help protect our water resources.

The water supplied to this community is considered safe. This report details water quality and its significance. For questions about this report or our water utility, please contact James Hampton at the Water Treatment Plant (606-528-5975).

Our Water Treatment Plant has a 12 million gallon daily capacity. It employs standard treatment processes including aeration, coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorine disinfection to remove potentially harmful agents. The treatment also includes corrosion control and fluoridation. Our system maintains 6.2 million gallons of storage capacity.

Your municipal water comes from Corbin City Pond, a surface water intake above Laurel River Lake in Laurel County. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activity.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals from urban runoff or industrial discharges
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture and residential use
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes and petroleum production
• Radioactive contaminants that may occur naturally

The EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminants in public water systems, while FDA regulations set limits for bottled water. All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of some contaminants without necessarily posing health risks.

A Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) analysis shows our water supply has a moderate susceptibility to contamination. The main land cover is forest, which could be vulnerable to logging and soil erosion without proper management. There are water quality impairments near our intake caused by excess nutrients from human and animal sources.

The Corbin Utilities Commission works diligently to provide top-quality water to every tap. We ask all customers to help protect our valuable water resources. We treat water at our plant to reduce potential contaminants and remain committed to providing safe, reliable water to our community.

1. What contaminants might be found in my Corbin municipal water?
   Corbin water may contain trace amounts of chemicals like Tetradecanoic acid, Naphthalene, and PCBs, as well as elevated hardness levels.
2. How often is Corbin's water tested?
   The Corbin Utilities Commission tests water quality daily during treatment and must comply with regular testing schedules for over 100 potential contaminants as mandated by state regulations.
3. Is my water safe to drink?
   Yes, the municipal water meets safety standards, though some residents may prefer additional home filtration for taste preference or to address specific health concerns.
4. What causes water hardness in Corbin?
   The surface water source naturally contains dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium that contribute to water hardness, which can affect appliance efficiency and cleaning effectiveness.