Plateau Utility District

Is my tap water safe to consume? Yes, our municipal water meets all EPA health standards. We've conducted extensive testing for over 80 potential contaminants in flowing water. As shown in the chart at the back, we detected only 8 of these substances.

Where does my water come from? Your surface water originates from Crooked Hand Creek. To safeguard this source, the District has partnered with the State to assess potential contamination risks. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has developed a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Report for untreated water sources supplying this system, evaluating vulnerability to possible contamination.

Water sources throughout Tennessee are classified as low, moderate, or high susceptibility based on geological factors and human activities near the supply. The District's intake on Crooked Hand Creek has been rated as highly susceptible to potential contamination. Tennessee's Source Water Assessment Plan, summaries, susceptibility scores, and the complete TDEC report to EPA are available at www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/wr-water-resources/waterquality/source-water-assessment.html, or you can contact Plateau Utility Center for a copy of the assessment.

Why are there contaminants in my water? All municipal water, including bottled water, can reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. 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 (800-426-4791). Este informe contiene información muy importante. Tradúscalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

For more details about your municipal water, please call Mike Monroe at 423-346-3101.

How can I get involved? Our Board of Commissioners meets on the second Thursday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at 407 Eliza Street, Wartburg, Tennessee; please feel free to attend. Commissioners serve four-year terms, with vacancies filled by State Executive appointment. Board decisions regarding consumer complaints can be reviewed by the Utility Management Review Board of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation per Section 7-82-702(7) of Tennessee Code Annotated.

Is our water system meeting other regulations? State and EPA regulations require regular testing and reporting to ensure water safety. We've met all requirements, and unregulated contaminant analysis results are available upon request.

Additional information about water sources and contaminants: Municipal 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, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances from animal or human activity.

Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants like viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals, whether naturally-occurring or from urban runoff, industrial/domestic wastewater, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants, either naturally-occurring or from oil/gas production and mining

To ensure tap water safety, EPA and TDEC enforce regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water supplies. Plateau Utility District's treatment processes reduce such substances to levels well below health concerns. FDA regulations establish similar limits for bottled water.

Should I take special precautions? Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. Immunocompromised persons—including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, some elderly individuals, and infants—may be particularly susceptible to infections. These people should seek advice about municipal water, food preparation, personal hygiene, and precautions for handling infants and pets from their healthcare providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to reduce infection risk from Cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Lead in Municipal Water: If present, elevated lead levels can cause serious health issues, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in municipal water primarily comes from materials and components of service lines and household plumbing. While Plateau Utility is responsible for providing high-quality water, we cannot control the materials used in plumbing components. When 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, you may have your water tested. Information about lead in water, testing methods, and steps to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family%23water%23water.

Water System Security: Following September 2001, we understand public concerns about drinking water security. We request that the public report any suspicious activities at any utility facility.

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