Haralson County Water Auth.

Haralson County Water Authority is proud to present this year's Annual Municipal Water Quality Report. As mandated by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), this report provides essential information about your water source, its contents, and how it compares to regulatory standards.

Last year, we conducted tests for over 100 potential contaminants. Only 11 were detected, and none exceeded EPA-permitted levels. We also tested our water for Cryptosporidium with no detections found.

Special Health Considerations
Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general public. Those with compromised immune systems—such as cancer patients undergoing treatment, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, the elderly, and infants—should seek advice from healthcare providers regarding their water consumption. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing infection risk from Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Water Source Information
Your municipal water comes from Tallapoosa Lake, Sims Wells, The town of Anniston, ING, and Cleburne County AL. Our community's completed source water assessment identified 95 potential contamination sources—seven low priority, eighty-eight moderate priority, and zero high priority risks. The overall susceptibility score was medium. A copy of this report is available at our office.

Understanding Water Contaminants
All water, including bottled varieties, naturally contains some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. Contaminants can come from various sources:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage treatment, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals, either naturally occurring or from urban runoff, wastewater discharge, or agricultural practices
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from energy production activities

The EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems, while FDA regulations set similar standards for bottled water.

Community Involvement
Our water board meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 9 AM in the Water Authority office conference room in Buchanan, GA. Your participation and comments are always welcome.

1. How often is my municipal water tested?
   Municipal water is tested daily for basic parameters and according to EPA schedules for specific contaminants.
2. What causes water hardness in Haralson County?
   Water hardness results from naturally occurring calcium and magnesium minerals in our surface water source.
3. Should I be concerned about the contaminants found in my water?
   While contaminants were detected, none exceeded EPA health standards. However, those with specific health concerns should consult their healthcare providers.
4. How can I improve my home water quality?
   Consider water filtration systems designed to address specific local contaminants and water hardness issues.