Frederick County Sanitation Authority Water Company

Frederick Water obtains its supply from quarries located in Stephens City and Clearbrook. Water from these quarries undergoes treatment at the James H. Diehl and James T. Anderson Water Filtration Plants. The purification process includes:

• Chemical addition
• Flocculation
• Sedimentation
• Filtration to remove turbidity
• Chlorination for disinfection

Additional water is purchased from the City of Winchester, which sources from the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. These three water sources blend in Frederick Water's distribution system before reaching customers.

The Virginia Department of Health has determined our water sources may be vulnerable to contamination as they are surface water sources exposed to various pollutants. Changing environmental conditions can promote contaminant migration from activities within the assessment area.

During 2017, Frederick Water's laboratories at both filtration plants conducted over 40,000 process tests to ensure compliance with Virginia Department of Health and EPA standards. The water undergoes continuous monitoring according to Federal and State Regulations for numerous components.

The water quality tables summarize testing results from January 1 through December 31, 2017, including only contaminants detected at some level. Many additional components were tested but were not present or fell below laboratory detection limits.

Key Definitions:

• Action Level (AL): Contaminant concentration that triggers treatment requirements
• Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): Highest allowable contaminant level in drinking water
• Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): Contaminant level below which no health risk is expected
• Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): Highest allowable disinfectant level
• NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (water clarity measurement)
• ppb: Parts per billion (1 drop in 15,750 gallons)
• ppm: Parts per million (1 drop in 16 gallons)

1. Where does Frederick County Sanitation Authority water come from?
   Frederick County Sanitation Authority supplies surface water to Frederick, Virginia.
2. Does Frederick County Sanitation Authority test its tap water?
   Yes. Like every public water system, Frederick County Sanitation Authority 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 Frederick County Sanitation Authority?
   Call 540-868-1061 or visit 315 Tasker Rd, Stephens City, VA 22655, or use the contact options on the utility’s website.
4. Does Frederick County Sanitation Authority 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 Frederick County Sanitation Authority 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.