Decatur

DECATUR WATER SOURCE INFORMATION

Decatur Utilities serves approximately 25,500 customers throughout the City of Decatur and also provides water to the City of Hartselle, Northeast Morgan County Water District, Limestone County, and the Town of Trinity. Western Morgan East Lawrence Water District can purchase water from Decatur as needed.

Our water comes entirely from Wheeler Reservoir on the Tennessee River. The Water Treatment Plant can process up to 68 million gallons per day (MGD) of raw water. Our treatment process includes sodium permanganate for oxidation, fluoride for dental health promotion, poly aluminum chloride for coagulation, lime for pH adjustment, poly-orthophosphate for stabilization, and chlorine for disinfection.

The system includes four in-ground water storage reservoir tanks and six elevated storage tanks, providing a combined capacity of 23,967,000 gallons. Our mission is to safeguard our water supply from potential contamination sources.

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) prepared a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) report on our water supply in 2000. This assessment rated our untreated water sources as having a moderate contamination risk. This report is available for review at the DU Main Office during regular business hours or by appointment.

To learn more about Decatur Utilities and your water system, we encourage you to attend our regularly scheduled Board Meetings, typically held on the third Wednesday of each month at 8:00 a.m. at our Main Office located at 1002 Central Parkway SW.

MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER

Decatur Utilities is proud to present this year's Annual Water Quality Report. This report provides information about the source and quality of your municipal water using data from water quality testing conducted from January through December 2017.

At Decatur Utilities, we deliver more than just quality water. We provide an essential resource for public health, fire protection, industry, economic development, and overall quality of life in Northern Alabama. We also deliver excellent value, with residential rates that remain among the lowest in the state.

We take great pride in "providing safe, reliable utility service at the lowest possible rates while meeting the needs of customers and staff." If you have questions about this report or your water service, please contact our Water Treatment Plant at (256) 552-1480. For additional copies of this report, call Customer Service at (256) 552-1400 or visit us online at www.decaturutilities.com.

For more information about contaminants in municipal water and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

What is a Precautionary Boil Advisory?

A Precautionary Boil Advisory is a public notification advising residents to boil their tap water before use, typically issued in response to incidents that might allow contaminants to enter the water distribution system. These incidents include water main breaks or loss of system pressure.

The notification method depends on the size of the affected area. For smaller areas (typically 40 customers or fewer), the water company will place door hanger notices on each customer's door. For larger areas, an automated calling system will notify customers, and advisory information will also appear on the water company's website.

What should I do during a Precautionary Boil Advisory?

You should vigorously boil tap water for at least three minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. This includes water used for brushing teeth, making ice, washing raw foods, and preparing beverages. Allow the water to cool before using it or store it in a clean container in the refrigerator.

Boiling eliminates harmful bacteria in the water that could cause illness. Discard any ice made during the advisory period, as freezing doesn't kill microorganisms.

Do I need to boil water if I have a filter system?

Most point-of-use (POU) filters are designed to improve water's taste or odor, not to remove harmful microorganisms. You can learn about your filter's capabilities by contacting the manufacturer or NSF International (1-800-673-8010). When in doubt, boil your water or use bottled water even if you have a filtering system.

Is the water safe for household tasks during an advisory?

The water remains safe for washing dishes (use hot, soapy water with one tablespoon of bleach per gallon as a precaution and rinse in boiled water), doing laundry, and bathing during an advisory. If water is contaminated with chemicals that could cause harm on contact, a Do Not Use Notice will be issued instead, indicating the water should not be used for bathing.

How long will a Precautionary Boil Advisory remain in effect?

An advisory stays in effect until test samples confirm the water is safe to drink. Regulatory requirements specify that two consecutive tests taken at least 24 hours apart must show no bacterial contamination before lifting the advisory. Each sample requires 18-24 hours of incubation, meaning advisories typically last at least 48 hours. If bacteria are detected, the water lines will continue to be flushed and the advisory will remain until consecutive clean samples are obtained.