Rome

The City of Rome sources its water from two abundant surface water sources: the Oostanaula and Etowah Rivers. These rivers provide an ample supply for the community, but they can be susceptible to contamination as water flows across land surfaces.

Common contaminants found in untreated river water include:

• Biological contaminants from animal and human activity
• Inorganic substances including various metals
• Agricultural chemicals like pesticides and herbicides
• Industrial and petroleum-based chemicals

These contaminants, when present, are treated at the Generic Hamler Water Treatment Facility to ensure safe concentration levels before distribution. For additional information about potential contaminants and health effects, contact the U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Lead Safety Tips: Elevated lead levels can cause serious health concerns, particularly for children. While Rome is responsible for providing quality water, household plumbing materials may contribute to lead exposure. If water has been sitting in pipes for several hours, run your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using for drinking or cooking. If concerned about lead, consider having your water tested. Additional information is available at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead or via the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

1. Do managers participate in local politics? All managers belonging to ICMA are bound by the Code of Ethics, which requires members to refrain from political activities that might undermine public confidence in professional administrators and abstain from participating in elections of legislative body members.
2. How many Americans live in communities with council-manager government? Over 89 million Americans reside in communities operating under council-manager governance structures.
3. Is this form popular in larger communities? Yes. Among 237 cities with populations exceeding 100,000 residents, 141 utilize this governance model. Besides Sterling Heights, other major cities employing the council-manager system include Charlotte NC, Dallas TX, Las Vegas NV, Oklahoma City OK, Phoenix AZ, San Antonio TX, and San Diego CA.
4. Is the council-manager form limited to certain types of cities? No. More than 3,400 cities currently operate under this governance structure.
5. What else does ICMA's Code of Ethics cover? The Code outlines 12 ethical principles governing personal and professional conduct, including commitment to effective representative government. ICMA members uphold democratic principles and equitable service delivery while adhering to integrity standards exceeding legal requirements.
6. What is ICMA? ICMA serves as the professional and educational organization for administrators and assistant administrators of cities, towns, counties, and regional entities worldwide. Its mission is to foster excellence in local governance through professional management development globally.
7. What is the council-manager form's history? Emerging from early 20th century progressive reforms, the council-manager system represents a distinctive American contribution to political theory. Staunton, VA established the first professionally defined local government manager position by ordinance in 1908. Sumter, SC adopted the first charter incorporating council-manager principles in 1929. Westmount, Quebec introduced this model to Canada in 1913, while Dayton, OH became the first large city adopter in 1914. The first counties implementing this structure in the 1930s were Arlington County VA, Durham County NC, and Robeson County NC.
8. Where do managers gain their experience? Nearly 73% of managers surveyed by ICMA hold master's or professional degrees, with respondents averaging 17 years in local government management careers.