North Shelby Water District

Source water assessments have been completed for both water treatment plants serving Shelby County and are available for review at the Shelby County Water Services office located in the Shelby County Administration Building at 200 West College Street, Columbiana, Alabama.

The Talladega/Shelby Water Treatment Plant and Shelby County South Water Treatment Plant both utilize conventional surface water treatment methods. These include:

• Flocculation and sedimentation
• Filtration systems
• Chemical treatments (copper sulfate, potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide)
• Powdered and granular activated carbon
• Alum-based coagulants
• Disinfection with chlorine
• Fluoride addition for dental health

All municipal water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Homes with additional water treatment systems (such as whole-house filters and water softeners) should follow manufacturer's maintenance guidelines, as improper maintenance can affect water quality within the residence.

The EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems to ensure safety. FDA regulations set similar limits for bottled water to provide equivalent public health protection.

If present, elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in tap water primarily comes from materials in service lines and home plumbing. While North Shelby Water District is responsible for providing quality water, they cannot control the materials used in household plumbing. If your water has been sitting for several hours, minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned about lead, consider having your water tested. Information about lead in water, testing methods, and exposure reduction is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

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