South Norwalk Electric and Water

The "2017 Water Quality Report," also known as the Consumer Confidence Report, is published yearly to educate our valued customers about their municipal water supply. This report provides vital information on water sources, treatment processes, testing protocols, and how our water compares to regulatory standards.

South Norwalk Electric and Water (SNEW PWS ID# CT1030021) conducts over 30,000 analyses annually on approximately 3,500 samples, screening for more than 90 potential contaminants. Many tests are performed by SNEW's state-certified public health laboratory (number PH-0461).

Water Sources: All water supplies (both tap and bottled) originate from rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, and may pick up substances from animal or human activities.

Your Water Source: Our municipal water comes from four reservoirs located in Wilton and New Canaan, CT. These include City Lake, Rock Lake, Popes Pond Reservoirs in Wilton, and the New Canaan Reservoir. The watershed area encompasses 6,300 miles across these towns, with SNEW owning approximately 19%. We maintain a robust watershed protection program that includes regular land inspections and water quality sampling to safeguard these water sources.

A source water assessment completed by the Connecticut Department of Public Health Water Section found our public water source has a low susceptibility to potential contamination sources. The assessment report is available at: http://www.dir.ct.gov/dph/Water/SWAP/Community/CT1030021.pdf

Community Role in Water Protection: Residents can help protect this vital natural resource through:

• Regular septic system inspection and prompt repairs
• Moderate and careful use of fertilizers
• Proper maintenance of oil storage containers
• Responsible disposal of household hazardous materials
• Reporting pollution incidents
• Practicing water conservation

Water Treatment Process: Water from SNEW reservoirs undergoes comprehensive treatment at our Purification Plant in Wilton. The process includes:

• Raw water screening (coarse and fine)
• Alum coagulation with rapid mixing and flocculation
• Membrane filtration via immersed membrane ultrafiltration
• Granular activated carbon filtration for taste and odor control
• Disinfection to control microbial contaminants
• Fluoride addition for dental health

The system also features automatic control and data acquisition systems plus chemical delivery, storage, and pumping equipment. This treatment process removes contaminants and ensures compliance with State and Federal EPA regulations.

We serve approximately 42,500 people and treat an average of 5.9 million gallons distributed through 135 miles of pipeline.

Water Quality Monitoring: Our sophisticated monitoring program serves as an early warning system for potential reservoir contamination. Water is tested continuously throughout the treatment process and in the distribution system to ensure quality all the way to your tap.

All water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants 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 1-800-426-4791 or hotline-sdwa@epa.gov.

Potential Contaminants in Source Water:

• Microbial contaminants: Viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants: Salts and metals that are naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial/domestic wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides: From agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants: Synthetic and volatile organic chemicals from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants: Naturally-occurring or from oil/gas production and mining activities

The EPA sets regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems to ensure safety. FDA regulations establish similar limits for bottled water to provide the same public health protection.

Important Health Information: Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. Immunocompromised persons—including those 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 consult their healthcare providers regarding drinking water. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing infection risk from Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Lead and Copper Advisory: Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water primarily comes from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. While SNEW provides high-quality water, we cannot control the variety of materials in plumbing components. After water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize lead and copper exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned, consider water testing. Information about lead in water, testing methods, and exposure reduction steps is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

1. How often is municipal water tested?
2. What should I do if I notice an unusual taste or odor in my tap water?
3. How can I check my home's water hardness level?
4. What are trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and why are they concerning?
5. Should I use a water filter for my tap water?