Waycross

We're pleased to share this year's Annual Water Quality Report with you. This document outlines the quality of water and services we provide daily. Our primary objective is delivering safe, reliable municipal water to your home. Our water comes from the Upper Floridan Aquifer through two wells approximately 700 feet deep. This aquifer is among Georgia's most productive water sources due to its abundant high-quality reserves.

The Waycross City Commission oversees our water system with full authority for maintenance and expansion. They meet on the first and third Tuesday monthly at City Hall (417 Pendleton Street) at 7:00 p.m. We welcome your feedback and participation. For questions about this report, please contact Joel Hall or Anthony Baskin at (912) 287-2942.

Municipal water sources include both surface water (rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs) and groundwater (wells). As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves natural minerals, potentially radioactive materials, and may collect substances from animal presence or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals (naturally occurring or from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, farming)
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential usage
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, storm runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants (naturally occurring or from oil/gas production and mining)

All water, including bottled varieties, may contain trace 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 at 1-800-426-4791.

To ensure tap water safety, EPA regulations limit certain contaminant levels in public water systems. FDA regulations establish similar limits for bottled water to provide equivalent public health protection. The Waycross Industrial Park Water System routinely tests for substances according to Federal and State laws. Our monitoring results from January-December 2017 are shown in the table, with some tests from 2016 included due to testing schedules.

1. How often is municipal water tested? Water is tested daily for basic parameters like chlorine and turbidity, while comprehensive testing occurs monthly, quarterly, or annually depending on the contaminant.
2. What causes water hardness? Minerals like calcium and magnesium dissolved from soil and rock formations cause water hardness, which can affect plumbing and appliances.
3. Are home water filters necessary? While municipal water meets safety standards, home filters may improve taste and remove additional contaminants based on personal preference.