Smiths Water and Sewer Authority

All municipal water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of certain contaminants. The presence of these substances doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. MCLs (Maximum Contaminant Levels), defined in this survey, are established at very conservative levels by the Alabama Department of Environmental Supervision.

To understand the practical health implications for regulated substances, a person would need to consume 2 liters of water daily at the MCL level for an entire lifetime to have a one-in-a-million chance of experiencing the identified health effect.

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or through soil, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals, occurring naturally or from urban runoff, industrial discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, stormwater runoff, and residential usage
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants, either naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production and mining

To ensure tap water safety, EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems, while FDA regulations set limits for bottled water. Some individuals may be more susceptible to water contaminants than the general population, including immunocompromised persons, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, elderly individuals, and infants. These vulnerable groups should seek advice from healthcare providers regarding their water consumption.

Independent laboratories regularly test our water source for pathogens like Cryptosporidium and Giardia, which can enter water from animal or human waste. All test results have consistently met federal and state standards. For immunocompromised individuals, information developed jointly by the EPA and CDC is available at www.epa.gov/safe water/crypto.HTML or through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

1. How do I respond to a BOIL ADVISORY? If we experience a leak in our system causing loss of water pressure, the microbiological quality of our water may be compromised, resulting in a BOIL ADVISORY. All customers should disinfect water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation by boiling water for one (1) full minute in a clean container. The minute starts after the water reaches a rolling boil. You can improve the flat taste by shaking water in a clean bottle, pouring between containers, or adding a pinch of salt per quart of boiled water. Once the Office of Public Health's State Regional Laboratory confirms samples are safe, the advisory will be lifted and you'll be notified.
2. How is my water meter read? Water Works District No. 3 reads most meters electronically using radio frequency technology. This allows us to collect readings while driving down your street without stopping to open each meter box, resulting in greater accuracy and efficiency.
3. Where does my water come from? Water Works District No. 3 distributes water from seven groundwater wells and a surface water facility on Big Creek, near Pollock, Louisiana.
4. How much water should I expect to use daily? American households average 183 gallons of water daily for cooking, washing, flushing, and watering. The typical family turns on taps between 70-100 times daily, with about 74% of home water usage occurring in bathrooms, 21% in laundry rooms, and 5% in kitchens.
5. Is it okay to use hot water from the tap for cooking and drinking? No! ALWAYS use cold water. Hot water more readily dissolves rust, copper, and lead from household plumbing and water heaters. These harmful materials dissolve faster in hot water, especially when the tap hasn't been used for extended periods.
6. Why do water pipes tend to break in winter? Unlike most liquids that contract when frozen, water expands by up to 9% when it freezes. This unique property causes water pipes to burst when temperatures reach freezing.