Hurricane City

The West Virginia Bureau for Health conducted a source water assessment in 2003. The intake supplying Hurricane City's municipal water was determined to have high susceptibility to contamination due to the vulnerable nature of surface water sources and potential contaminant sources in the region. This doesn't indicate that contamination is occurring, only that conditions exist where water quality could be impacted by potential sources. Future contamination can be prevented through protective measures.

The source water assessment report with detailed information is available for review at our office during business hours or from the WVBPH at 304-558-2981.

Why is water treatment necessary?
All water naturally contains various types and amounts of contaminants. Federal and state regulations establish limits and treatment requirements to reduce these contaminants and minimize health effects.

Understanding Water Contaminants
To ensure tap water safety, EPA prescribes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. FDA regulations establish similar protections for bottled water. All drinking water, including bottled varieties, may reasonably contain at least small amounts of some contaminants, which doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk.

More information about contaminants and potential health effects is available through the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Water Sources and Contaminant Types
Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, and may pick up substances from animal presence or human activity.

Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals, which may occur naturally or result from urban runoff, industrial discharges, oil/gas production, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential usage
• Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile organics from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that can be naturally-occurring or result from oil/gas production and mining

Vulnerable Populations
Some individuals may be more susceptible to contaminants than the general population. Immunocompromised persons, including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, those with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly vulnerable. These individuals should seek advice from healthcare providers regarding their drinking water.

.. ...