Shelby County Water System

We're pleased to present this year's Annual Municipal Water Quality Report. Our mission is ensuring the highest quality water for our community. We continuously work to enhance our treatment processes and protect our valuable water resources.

In 2017, our water came from two primary sources: The Talladega/Shelby Water Treatment Plant near Childersburg and the Shelby County South Water Treatment Plant near Wilsonville. Together, these facilities can process up to 21.8 million gallons daily, with the Talladega/Shelby plant handling 13.8 MGD and the Shelby County South facility processing 8 MGD. All raw water is drawn from the Coosa River/Lay Lake system.

We're proud to report that we met all municipal water standards throughout 2017. For questions about this report or your water service, please contact Michael Cain, P.E., our Manager of Water Services at 205-670-6540 or email mcain@shelbyal.com.

We believe informed customers are our best allies. County Commission meetings occur on the second Monday (8:30 a.m.) and fourth Monday (6:00 p.m.) monthly at the Shelby County Administration Building in Columbiana (200 West College Street). Visit water.shelbyal.com for more information and to register for alerts about service impacts.

Our team continuously monitors your water according to Federal and State regulations. The data tables in this report show our most recent testing results as required by law. All municipal water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of some constituents, which doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk.

Thank you for reviewing this annual report.
Sincerely,
Alex Dudchock, County Manager

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Source Water Assessments for our treatment plants are available for review by appointment at the Shelby County Administration Building (200 West College Street, Columbiana, Alabama).

Both treatment facilities employ conventional surface water treatment methods including flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and chemical treatment with copper sulfate, potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide, powdered activated carbon, alum-based coagulant, chlorine dioxide (at TSWTP), calcium carbonate, granular activated carbon contact, chlorine for disinfection, and fluoride for dental health.

All municipal water may contain small amounts of contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Homes with additional water treatment systems (such as whole-house filters or water softeners) should follow manufacturer's maintenance recommendations, as improper maintenance can affect water quality.

EPA regulations limit contaminant levels in public water systems to ensure safe drinking water. FDA regulations establish similar protections for bottled water products.

If present, elevated lead levels can cause serious health issues, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead typically enters drinking water from service line materials and household plumbing components. While Shelby County Water Services provides quality water, we cannot control the materials used in home plumbing systems. When water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize potential lead exposure by running your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned about lead, consider having your water tested. Information about lead in drinking water is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

1. How do you determine my water usage and billing amounts?
   Your bill reflects the volume of water that passed through your meter since the previous reading. While sewer service isn't directly metered, we calculate those charges based on your household water consumption.
2. How does summer lawn and garden watering affect my bill?
   Outdoor watering during summer months will typically result in higher Average Daily Consumption and increased charges. Both water and sewer fees apply to all water passing through your home service meter. For significant non-sewer water usage, consider options like sewer deduct meters or parallel water meters not subject to sewage charges for commercial accounts.
3. Why is my bill unusually high when I haven't watered outdoors?
   Average residential consumption is approximately 4,000 gallons monthly (12,000 gallons per quarter). Unexpectedly high usage often indicates leaking fixtures or pipes. A single leaking toilet can waste 3-5 gallons per minute, often silently. The most common toilet leaks occur in the flapper, siphon tube, or overflow mechanisms. To check for toilet leaks, add a few drops of food coloring to the tank, wait 20 minutes, then check if color appears in the bowl. If color appears, shut off the toilet using the valve until repairs can be made. We offer complimentary leak detection during regular business hours (interior access required), but we DO NOT perform plumbing repairs. Due to high demand, schedule inspections promptly if you suspect a leak. Delays in investigating increased consumption may result in additional high bills.
4. Is discolored water safe, and what causes it?
   DISCOLORED WATER contains accumulated iron and manganese sediment from rusting pipes or chemical deposits. This sediment normally remains undisturbed when water flows steadily in one direction, but becomes suspended when flow patterns change. Common causes include:
   • Broken mains causing rapid water flow
   • Valve closures for repairs redirecting water flow
   • Hydrant use for firefighting or system flushing
   • New water mains changing established flow patterns
   While discolored water poses no health risk and is bacteria-free, we don't recommend using it for infant formula. You can safely use it for showering, toilet flushing, and other household tasks, but avoid washing clothes as staining may occur. If clothing does get stained, immediately rewash using a rust remover product (available at supermarkets or free from our office during business hours). Treat stains before drying clothes for best results.
5. What are the visible particles sometimes seen in water?
   Visible particles are typically accumulated minerals, primarily iron compounds.