Vidalia

We're pleased to present this year's Annual Water Quality Report. This document aims to inform you about the premium water and services we deliver daily. Our primary goal is to provide you with a safe, reliable source of municipal water.

Our water comes from the Upper Floridan Aquifer through wells approximately 700 feet deep. This aquifer is one of Georgia's most valuable and productive water sources due to its high quality and substantial capacity. The City of Vidalia owns and operates the water system, with the City Commission holding ultimate responsibility for maintenance and development.

The Commission meets on the first and third Tuesday monthly at City Hall (114 Jackson Street) at 7:00 p.m. We welcome your input and participation. For questions about this report, please contact our water department at (912) 537-7661.

Municipal water sources (both tap and bottled) include surface water (rivers, lakes, streams, reservoirs) and groundwater (wells). As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and can pick up substances from animal presence 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 occurring naturally or from urban runoff, wastewater discharge, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, stormwater runoff, and residential use
• Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile organics from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, stormwater runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from oil/gas production and mining

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

The Vidalia water system regularly monitors for constituents according to Federal and State regulations. Our testing schedules vary by contaminant type, with some tests conducted monthly and others every few years based on regulatory requirements.

1. Why is my water discolored? Discoloration results from sediment in pipes becoming disturbed, releasing fine particles that travel in the water. This occurs naturally as groundwater contains minerals that interact with plumbing systems. Vidalia treats water according to Department of Environment guidelines to ensure it remains safe for use.
2. How frequently is my water tested? We conduct monthly bacteria testing at 17 locations throughout the system. Lead and copper testing occurs at 20 sites every three years. Additional tests for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrates, nitrites, metals, inorganic compounds, radon and other substances are performed on schedules determined by regulations. View our water quality section for recent results or call our office at (912) 537-7661.
3. Is fluoride added to my water? No, Vidalia does not add fluoride to the municipal water supply.
4. What is the water's pH level? We maintain pH levels between 7.2 and 7.5.
5. Does the water contain chlorine? Yes, we add minimal amounts of chlorine, sometimes at levels so low they're barely detectable.
6. What causes reddish stains on clothes and plumbing fixtures? These stains result from iron and manganese. Though harmless, they create cosmetic issues. Vidalia treats water to prevent this, but you may notice color changes during hydrant flushing or firefighting activities.
7. Should I purchase bottled water? That's your personal choice. Our municipal water often meets or exceeds safety standards compared to bottled water. For improved taste, try filling a container with our water and refrigerating it.
8. Why is there greenish staining in my sink? Green stains typically indicate copper leaching from your pipes. Lowering your hot water heater temperature can often reduce this issue.
9. What is the water hardness level? Our water hardness falls in the middle range of the scale.