Freedom District

Water Source Information
The Freedom District Water Treatment Plant #1 is situated along the shores of Liberty Reservoir within the Sykesville formation. This facility draws raw surface water from the reservoir, which is owned by Baltimore City and supplied to Carroll County through a contractual agreement. Plants #2 and #4 are groundwater wells that supplement the Freedom Water system.

Source Water Assessment
A comprehensive source water assessment was completed for the Carroll County Bureau of Utilities in 2003 by Maryland's Department of the Environment. Reports are available by visiting, calling, or writing to the Bureau of Utilities at 225 North Center Street, Room 218, Westminster, MD 21157 (410-386-2164).

Water Quality Vulnerabilities
The assessment determined that Freedom's water supply is vulnerable to:

• Increasing levels of dissolved solids and chlorides (linked to road salt use)
• Protozoa, viruses, and microorganisms common to all surface water sources
• Disinfection byproduct precursors
• Nutrient contamination, particularly phosphorus
• Potential spills in tributary waterways

Water Treatment Process
Raw water pumped from Liberty Reservoir passes through intake lines into Plant #1's Dissolved Air Flotation clarifier (DAF). Coagulants help remove small particles and suspended matter. The clarified water then passes through Membrane Ultrafilters and Diatomaceous Earth filters before entering the Clearwell, where it's treated with chlorine for disinfection and fluoride for dental health. pH is adjusted with caustic soda to reduce pipe corrosion, and a corrosion inhibitor (poly orthophosphate) is added before distribution.

Health Information
All drinking water, including bottled varieties, may contain small amounts of contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves natural minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal or human activities.

Potential Contaminant Sources

• Microbial contaminants from sewage plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants including salts and metals from urban runoff, wastewater discharge, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, stormwater, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from energy production and mining

Special Health Considerations
Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. Immunocompromised persons, including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, elderly individuals, and infants may face increased infection risks. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about appropriate water consumption precautions.

1. What are the primary concerns with Freedom District water?
   Freedom District water may contain contaminants including Alachlor (Lasso), Phenanthrene, and Acetochlor. The water also has elevated hardness levels.
2. Where does Freedom District source its water?
   The primary water source is surface water from Liberty Reservoir, supplemented by groundwater wells from Plants #2 and #4.
3. How is water quality monitored?
   The utility conducts regular testing for over 100 potential contaminants in accordance with EPA and Maryland Department of Environment regulations.
4. What treatment processes are used?
   Treatment includes Dissolved Air Flotation clarification, Membrane Ultrafiltration, Diatomaceous Earth filtration, chlorination, fluoridation, pH adjustment, and corrosion inhibitors.
5. Who should be most concerned about water quality?
   Immunocompromised individuals, including cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, those with HIV/AIDS, elderly residents, and infants may need to take special precautions.