Peoples Water Service Company

Understanding Your Water Sources and Potential Contaminants

The sources of tap water (both municipal and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it naturally dissolves minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials, while also potentially collecting substances from animal presence or human activity.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial Contaminants: Viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic Contaminants: Salts and metals occurring naturally or resulting from urban runoff, industrial wastewater, oil/gas production, or farming
• Pesticides and Herbicides: From various sources including agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses
• Organic Chemical Contaminants: Including synthetic and volatile organic compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive Contaminants: Naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production and mining

To ensure safety, the EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems, while FDA regulations set similar standards for bottled water. All water sources may reasonably contain some trace contaminants, though their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Questions? For information about this report or your water quality, please contact Mark Cross, General Manager, at (850) 455-8552 or CustomerService@PeoplesWaterService.com.

Source Water Assessment: In 2017, Florida's Department of Environmental Protection evaluated our water system, identifying 12 potential contamination sources with varying susceptibility levels, including Brownfield areas, petroleum storage facilities, dry cleaning services, and a state-funded cleanup site. Assessment results are available at www.dep.state.florida.us/swapp.

Water Source: Peoples Water Service draws water from the Sand and Gravel Aquifer through five treatment plants. This 6,500 square mile aquifer serves many utilities across southern Alabama and Florida's Panhandle. Last year, we provided 808 million gallons of water—approximately 67 million gallons monthly or 2.2 million gallons daily.

Lead Awareness: Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead primarily enters drinking water through household plumbing materials. While we provide 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 concerned, consider water testing. Information about lead in drinking water is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/lead.

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