Nueces County WCID 4

We're pleased to present our annual water quality report. As in previous years, we remain dedicated to delivering the highest quality water possible. We continue to meet the challenges of new regulations, source water protection, conservation initiatives, and community education while serving all our customers' needs. Thank you for allowing us to serve you and your family.

Water Source Information
All water provided by Nueces County Water Control & Improvement District No. 4 comes from surface water systems including Lake Corpus Christi, Choke Canyon Reservoir, and Lake Texana. Water stored in these lakes flows through the Nueces River to intake facilities in Calallen. As water travels across land surfaces and rivers, it dissolves minerals naturally and can pick up various contaminants. Untreated water may contain microorganisms, viruses, minerals, and organic chemicals.

Treatment Process
River water is transported by pipeline to either the O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant near Calallen or San Patricio Municipal Water District treatment facility near Ingleside. Lake Texana water travels through the 101-mile Mary Rhodes Pipeline directly to the O.N. Stevens plant, where it mixes with Nueces River water. Nueces County WCID 4 purchases treated water from both San Patricio MWD (pumping station in Aransas Pass) and Corpus Christi (station just north of Mustang Island State Park on Highway 361).

Water Conservation Tips

• Run dishwashers only when full – they use 15 gallons per cycle regardless of load size
• Turn off taps while brushing teeth to save up to 20 gallons daily
• Check for leaks – a slow drip can waste 6,000 gallons annually
• Test toilets for leaks using food coloring in the tank – invisible leaks can waste 30,000 gallons yearly
• Use your water meter to detect hidden leaks by turning off all water fixtures and checking if the meter moves after 15 minutes

Potential Contaminants
To ensure tap water safety, the EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant amounts in public water systems. FDA regulations set similar limits for bottled water. All water sources (both tap and bottled) may reasonably contain small amounts of some contaminants, which doesn't necessarily indicate health risks. Source water contaminants may include:

• Microbial Contaminants - viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations
• Inorganic Contaminants - salts and metals occurring naturally or from urban runoff, industrial discharges, oil/gas production
• Pesticides and Herbicides - from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential usage
• Organic Chemical Contaminants - byproducts of industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, runoff, septic systems
• Radioactive Contaminants - naturally occurring or from oil/gas production and mining activities

Lead in Home Plumbing
Elevated lead levels can cause serious health issues, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in water primarily comes from materials in service lines and home plumbing. While we provide quality water, we cannot control plumbing component materials. If water has been sitting for several hours, minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using for drinking or cooking.

FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease)
When you dispose of fats, oils or grease down sinks, you contribute to sewer system problems. FOG coats pipe interior walls in homes and underground systems, eventually forming blockages that can cause wastewater backups into parks, yards, and streets. These backups contaminate local waters and create public health hazards. Communities spend billions yearly unclogging pipes and cleaning illegal wastewater spills.

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