Floyd County

Sources of Rome's Municipal Water

The City of Rome obtains its water from two surface water sources: the Oostanaula and Etowah Rivers. Rome is fortunate to have abundant water supplies from these rivers. However, contaminants can enter these waterways as water flows over land or through soil, potentially becoming contaminated by animal and human activities.

Common contaminants in untreated water include biological organisms, inorganic metals, agricultural pesticides, and industrial chemicals. The presence of these substances doesn't necessarily pose immediate health risks, as they're removed through treatment processes at the Generic Hamler Water Treatment Facility to ensure safe concentration levels.

For additional information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Lead Safety at Home: If present, elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in water primarily comes from materials in service lines and home plumbing. While the City of Rome provides quality municipal water, it cannot control the materials used in plumbing components.

When water sits 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, consider testing your water. Information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Cryptosporidium: Based on 24-month monitoring results, the Rome Water System has been classified as a BIN 1 facility, meaning the highest calculated mean of test concentrations over 12 consecutive months was below 0.075 oocysts per liter. With this BIN 1 classification, no additional cryptosporidium treatment is required at the Bruce Hamler Water Treatment Facility.

Notice to Immuno-compromised Persons: Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, elderly individuals, and infants can be particularly susceptible to infections. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about drinking water safety. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing infection risk from Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

The CDC provides vital resources on water safety, including guidelines for testing, treating, and safely consuming municipal water. Their educational materials cover contaminant risks, proper water storage, and special considerations for vulnerable populations.

Public health officials regularly monitor community water systems to prevent waterborne illness outbreaks and ensure consistent quality across service areas.