Hartselle Utility Board

From your General Manager's Table To Our Valued Clients:

Hartselle Utilities takes pride in being your local water provider, and we're pleased to share positive news about your water quality. As mandated by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, our Annual Water Quality Report summarizes the quality of water supplied by Hartselle Utilities.

You'll notice that we consistently provide water that meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water standards. Better yet, you pay just a fraction of a penny per gallon for this premium service – an exceptional value considering the infrastructure and technology required to extract, treat, and deliver water through miles of underground pipelines to your tap.

Our dedicated team of water quality experts, operators, technicians, and maintenance staff work around the clock to ensure reliable, high-quality water whenever you need it. Since water is vital for public health, fire protection, economic development, and overall quality of life, Hartselle Utilities employees are committed to delivering quality water now and for generations to come.

Please review this report, which provides information about your water source and quality based on EPA-required testing conducted between January and December 2016. Thank you for allowing us to serve you.

Bob Sittason
General Manager

Other Hartselle Utilities Information

To learn more about Hartselle Utilities, please visit our website at www.hartselleutilities.org. We value informed customers and welcome you to attend our regularly scheduled Board meetings, typically held on the first and third Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at our Main Office (1010 Sparkman Street NW). For questions about meeting schedules, please contact Jean Kirby at ckirby@hartselleutilities.org.

Where Hartselle's water comes from...

Our water comes from Decatur Utilities which uses the Tennessee River as its source. Raw water is pumped from the river into Decatur Utilities' treatment facility where chemicals are added to settle contaminants. The water passes through sand filters to remove remaining particles, then chlorine is added for disinfection. Fluoride is also added to protect children's teeth. After treatment, the potable water is pumped into the distribution system.

Hartselle Utilities receives water through a metered connection at our Water Booster Station, where we add additional chlorine to maintain minimum standards. The water is then pumped into Hartselle's distribution system and storage tanks.

Health Risk Information

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems—such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, some elderly individuals, and infants—may be particularly susceptible to infections. These individuals should seek advice about drinking water from their healthcare providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to reduce infection risk from cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

TOTAL COLIFORM: The Total Coliform Rule requires water systems to meet strict limits on coliform bacteria. While these bacteria are usually harmless, their presence may indicate disease-causing bacteria. When coliform bacteria are detected, special follow-up tests determine if harmful organisms exist in the water supply. If limits are exceeded, the utility must notify the public via media outlets.

LEAD: Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead typically comes from materials associated with service lines and home plumbing. While Hartselle Utilities provides quality water, we cannot control plumbing component materials. To minimize lead exposure, flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking if it has been sitting for several hours. If concerned about lead, consider having your water tested. Information about lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

DIOXIN and ASBESTOS: Based on a study conducted by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management with EPA approval, a statewide monitoring waiver was issued for asbestos and dioxin, so these contaminants were not tested.

The tables below list chemicals tested during the January 1 to December 31, 2016 period. All water, including bottled water, can reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk.

View this report online or download an electronic copy at www.hartselleutilities.org. Additional copies are available at the Hartselle Utilities Main Office (1010 Sparkman Street NW, Hartselle, Alabama).

Other substances are tested during initial water treatment at Decatur Utilities Water Treatment Plant and are documented in DU's Annual Water Quality Report. For copies of Decatur Utilities' 2017 Annual Water Quality Report, contact their Customer Service department at (256) 552-1440 or visit www.decaturutilities.com.

What should I do if sewage backs up in my home?

1. If sewage backs up in your toilet or basement, and you believe the issue originates outside your property, contact the Meriden Water Pollution Control Facility at 203.630.4261 (weekdays 7:00 a.m. to 3:25 p.m.), or the Meriden Police Department at 203.238.1911 after hours, weekends, and holidays. (DO NOT CALL 911)
2. Do not contact a plumber until you've spoken with someone at the Meriden Water Pollution Control Facility.

Why should I call the Meriden Water Pollution Control Facility first?

The facility will promptly dispatch personnel to inspect the main sewer (the large pipe beneath the public street) for blockages. If a blockage is found in the main line, they will clear it at no cost to you. If you call a plumber before contacting the facility, you'll be responsible for the plumber's charges even if the blockage is in the main sewer line.

Do backwater valves help prevent sewage backups into my basement?

Yes. While blockages are less predictable than sewer surcharges, the outcome is similar—sewage in your basement. Backwater valves prevent backups by ensuring sewage flows in one direction only (away from your home). These valves are required by Code.

What if the backup cause isn't in the main sewer?

If the blockage is located in the lateral line connecting your home's plumbing to the main sewer, the property owner must hire a qualified plumber, sewer cleaner, or drain layer to power rod the line and clear the obstruction.

Is clearing a blockage in the lateral connection the homeowner's responsibility?

Yes, it's the property owner's responsibility whether the blockage can be cleared through power rodding or requires repairs. If repairs to the house connection are necessary, the owner must engage a licensed contractor to perform the work under permit from the Meriden Engineering Department. In summary, any lateral issue preventing wastewater flow from entering the public main line is the property owner's responsibility, including problems with the wye and/or chimney. If your lateral has a history of root issues, notify the Water Pollution Control Facility so they can inspect the public main line.