Okeechobee Utility Authority

Contaminants potentially found in source water include: (A) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may originate from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife. (B) Inorganic contaminants, including salts and metals, which can occur naturally or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.

(C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from various sources including agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses. (D) Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic compounds, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems. (E) Radioactive contaminants, which can occur naturally or result from oil and gas production and mining activities.

To ensure tap water safety, EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. FDA regulations set similar limits for bottled water to provide equivalent public health protection. As water travels over land or underground, it can dissolve naturally occurring minerals and pick up substances from animal or human activity. All municipal water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain at least small amounts of some contaminants, which doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk.

For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or visit www.epa.gov/safewater/. Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population, including those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or immune disorders, some elderly individuals, and infants. These people should seek medical advice about their drinking water.

In 2016, Florida's DEP conducted Source Water Assessments of both Surface Water and Ground Water plants. These assessments identified potential contamination sources near water facilities. The groundwater plant assessment found one potential contamination source with low susceptibility, while the surface water intake faces higher risks from numerous potential sources including petroleum storage tanks, industrial and domestic wastewater facilities, a CERCLA site, a Superfund site, and injection wells. SWA reports are available at: www.dep.state.fl.us/swapp.

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