I I M Winston-Salem ? Forsyth County
Uil f 1T\J r*f1(j@ tty/CountyUtilities
WnslunSalem^* WW w M. W/Wm 4fl/ater ? Sewer ? Solid Waste Disposal
Report for 2013
To customers of the City/County Utility Commission:
The Utility Commission operates three water treatment facilities drawing water
from both the Yadkin River and Salem Lake. The Neilson and Swann water plants
can treat 48 and 25 million gallons per day, respectively, from the Yadkin River.
The Thomas Water Plant treats 18 million gallons per day from Salem Lake and
the Yadkin River. These facilities have a combined capacity of 91 million gallons
per day and will ensure sufficient capacity to meet water demand for the next 25
years.
I
For 2013, as in previous years, these treatment facilities have met or exceeded all
state and federal standards for drinking water quality. This accomplishment reflects
the quality and dedication of the employees who work year-round to provide
adequate supplies of safe drinking water.
This page includes details about where your drinking water comes from, how it is
treated, what it contains, and exactly how it compares to state and federal
standards. The Utility Commission is providing this information to you because it
is committed to delivering a quality product for its customers. This report is
produced annually and is updated on a regular basis.
Thank you for taking time to read the 2013 Water Quality Report.
Ron Hargrove, Director
City/County Utilities
Cryptosporidium sp.
Cryptosporidium sp. is a microscopic organism that, when
ingested, can cause diarrhea, fever and other gastrointestinal symp
toms. The organism occurs naturally in surface waters (lakes &
streams) and comes from animal waste. Cryptosporidium sp. is
eliminated by an effective treatment combination of coagulation,
la At. 1 -!?-? f ' ? i r i .1
scuimciiuiiion, rutrauon, ana aisinrecuon. notn or tne city s water
sources arc currently being tested monthly for Cryptosporidium sp.
and to date it has not been detected. Cryptosporidium sp. has never
been detected in our treated drinking water.
Special Concern*
Some people may be more
vulnerable to contaminants in
drinking water than the general
population. People whose immune
systems have been compromised -
such as people with cancer undergoing
chemotherapy, persons who have
undergone organ transplants, people
with HIV/AIDS or other immune
system disorders, some elderly, and
infants - can be particularly at risk for
infections. These people should seek
advice about drinking water from
their health care providers. Environ
mental Protection Agency and Centers
for Disease Control guidelines on
appropriate means to lessen risk of
infection by Cryptosporidium sp. and
other microbiological contaminants
arc available from the Safe Drinking
Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
Physical & Mineral Characteristics
For Calendar Year 2013
Alkalinity, ppm 15.5-41.5 24.3
Aluminum, ppm 0.002 - 0.015 0.008
Calcium, ppm 2.40 - 5.80 3.30
Carbon Dloxida ppm 1.0-10.0 3.70
Chionde, ppm 4.55 - 8.95 5.99
CNorim.ppm 074-2.19 1.37
Conductivity, micromho?/cm 84.8-138.0 102.0
Copper, ppm NO - 0.003 0.001
Hanlness, ppm 10.0 - 39.0 20.0
ho* ppm ND - 0.036 03)01
Magneikim. ppm 1.10 -2.30 1.45
Manganaaa, ppm ND - 0.010 0.001
pH. Standard Units 8.50 - 8.70 7.52
Phaaphata. ppm 0.27-1.13 0.73
Potassium, ppm 1.10-2.60 1.73
SNca. ppm 9.78-17.88 11.89
Sodium, ppm 5.80 - 36.2 12.92
Tampantara, Dag. C 1.0-34.0 198
Zinc, ppm 0.090 - 0.189 0.135
NO* ? Not detected
. -J
Treated Water Quality
The following substances were detected in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County public water supply dunng the 2013 calendar year.
Highest Laval Alowed Ideal Goals Range of Average Lewi
Substance (ERA'sMCL) (EPA's MCLG') Detections Detected Source
Barium, ppb' 2000 2000 5.0 - 23.0 11.0 Natural geology: Mng operations, mate reinery wastes
Ehioride, ppm' 4.0s 4.0 0-36 - 0.95 0.59 Erosion of natural deposits; Water add!we, promotes strong teedi
Nitrate, ppm 10.0 10.0 0.29 - 0.89 0.55 Erosion ot natural deposits, ferufaer nsvolt baching bom septic tanks
Onhophosphate, ppm 0.5 - 5.0 1.0 0.49 - 0.94 0.67 WMer aeetment addtkro to prevent pgie oonoalon
Total Organic Carbon Treatment Technique' rVs 0.93-2.17 1.39 Nabsaiy praaent In the emkonmarrt
lurtntkty, NTH' Treatment Technique' tVa 0.02 - 0.54 0.04 Sal erosion
RlQHlftMl SyttMl
Total Trihalomethanas. ppb 80LRAA" 0.0 10.0 -108.0 42.8 Byproducts of drinking water disintection
Total Haioecetic Acids, ppb 80LRAA 0.0 11.9 - 46.8 25.0 Byproducts of dnnking water disinfection
Asbestos. MFL 7 0.0 rVa 0.39 Erosion of natural deposits; decay of asbestos cement water mains
Chlorine, ppm 4.0 4.0 <0.10-1.58 0.91 Water treatment aodove for dtsedecoon
Orthophoaphate, ppm 0.25 -1.5 1.0 0.41 - 0.92 0.67 Water treatment adddve to prevent pipe conoaion
Alpha Emitters, pCi/l" 15 0.0 0.0 0.0 Erosion of natural deposits
Beta Emitters, pCi/l 50 0.0 0.0 0.0 Decay of natural and matMnade deposits
Total Conforms teas than 5% positive 0.0 rVa 0.0 Naturally present In the environment
Sulfate, ppm 500 proposed Not Regulated 8 07 - 19.05 11.3
, , , H,ghest Level Alarmed Ideal Goals Number of
Substance (ERA'S MCL) (EPA's MCLG) Sites Sampled Above the Action Level Concentration, ppb Source (both lead and copperl
Lead, ppb 15.0 (action level") 0-0 50 0 <3.0 Corrosion of household plumbing.
Copper, ppb 1300.0 (action level") 1300.0 50 0 < 50 0 j Erosion of natural deposits
Definitions:
' Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - The highest
level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking
water. .
' Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) - The
level ot a contaminant in
drinking water below which
there is no known or
expected risk to health.
' ppb - One part per billion.
(For example, one penny in
$10,000,000.)
4 ppm - One pan per million.
(For example, one penny in
$10,000.)
5 The EPAs maximum
contaminant level for fluoride
is 4.0 mg/L, however the
Sate of North Carolina has
established a maximum
contaminant level of 2.0
^ mg/L
Treatment technique -
Treatment technique for total
organic carbon was complied
with throughout 2013.
7 NTU - nephelometric
turbidity unit, a measure of
the cloudiness of water.
' Treatment technique - 95%
of the measurements taken in
one month must be below 0.3 NTU.
* Ideational running annual average - average of last four
quarters of samples collected at each location at 12 monitoring
sites.
10 MFL - A measure of asbestos contamination as measured by
millions of fibers per liter of water
" PCi/L - Picocuries per liter is a measure of the radioactivity* in
water. A picocurie is 10"'2 curies and is the quantity of
radioactive material producing 2.22 nuclear transformations per
minute.
" Action Level - The concentration of a contaminant that triggers
treatment or other requirement that a water system must follow.
Action levels are reported at the 90th
percentile for homes at greatest risk.
Copies of this report or additional i^iH tu Uv?
information may be obtained by ?and ?g| tun or nnnMt
calling Bill Brewer, Water Open M hr*./7 dajn
Treatment Superintendent, at City
Link 311 (336) 727-8000
Call 311 or 336-727 8000
cltullnK9dtgofujs.org
EN ESPAftOL
Si desca recibir una copia de este reporte en Espafiol o si
tienc preguntas con respecto a la calidad del agua que
consume, por favor comuniquese con d departamcnto the
serricios piiblicos durante las boras de trabajo, el tekfbno
31 les (336) 727-8000.
Protecting Our
Water Sources
Sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled)
include rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As
water travels over the surface of the land or through
the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals
and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick
up suusuuitca
Faulting (iom the
presence of animals
or from human
activity.
Contaminants
that may be present
in source water
include:
? Microbial
Contaminants
such as viruses
and bacteria,
which may come
from sewage
treatment plants,
septic systems,
Salem Lake
20% I
YadkinRiver
80%
When dots Forsyth County's
water come from?
agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
? Inorganic Contaminants such as salts and metals
which can be naturally-occurring or result from
urban storm water runoff, industrial or
wastewater discharges, oil and gas productions,
mining or fanning.
? Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from
a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban
storm water runoff, and residential uses.
? Organic chemical contaminants, including
synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which
are by-products of industrial processes and
petroleum production, and can come from gas
stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic
systems.
? Radioactive contaminants which can be
naturally occurring or the result of oil and gas
production and mining activities.
To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the
Environmental Protection Agency limits the amount
of certain contaminants in water provided by public
water systems. Food and Drug Administration
regulations establish limits for contaminants in
bottled water, which must provide the same
protection for public health.
Drinking water, including botded water, may
reasonably be expected to contain at least small
amounts of some contaminants. The presence of
contaminants does not necessarily indicate the water
poses a health risk. More information about
contaminants and potential health effects can be
obtained by calling the EPA's Safe Drinking Water
Hodine at (800) 426-4791
The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utility Commission operates three water ,- . . , , ,?_?_?
treatment facilities drawing water from both the Yadkin River and Salem -^xVyX-J^JSi?rVF/ r V"
Lake. Together, these water treatment facilities can produce 97 million gallons ^t^\ I ^/y\-'
per day ofdrinking water. The Neilson and Northwest Water Plants can Uff-i \ ^
treat 48 and 25 million gallons per day, respectively, from the Yadkin River. 1 a j_ Y
The Thomas Water Plant can treat 18 million gallons per day from either the \ 1 \
Yadkin River or Salem Lake. Forsyth County it in /
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Lead Exposure From Water
Elevated levels of lead in drinking water can cause
serious health problems, especially for pregnant
women and young children. Leaa in drinking water
comes primarily from materials and components
associated with service lines and home plumbing.
The City/County Utility Commission is
responsible for providing high quality drinking water,
but cannot control the variety of materials used in
plumbing components. When your water has been
sitting for several hours, you can minimize the
potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for
30 seconds to two minutes before using water for
drinking or cooking.
If you are concerned about lead in your water,
you may wish to have your water tested. Information
and steps you can take to minimize exposure is
available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
(800) 426-4791 or go online at
The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County water system is
operated by the City/County Utility Commission. The
commission meets monthly the second Monday of each
month at 2 p.m. in City Hall, Room 230, 101 N. Main
Street, Winston-Salem, N.C. For questions about this report
or the quality of our drinking water, call Utilities
Administration at (336) 727-8000.
City of Winston-Salem
Mayor: Allen Joines; City Council Vivian H. Burke, Mayor Pro
Tempore, Northeast Ward: Denise D. Adams, North Ward: Dan
Besse, Southwest Ward: Robert C. Clark, West Ward: Molly Letght,
South Ward: Jeff Macintosh, Northwest Ward: Derwin L
Montgomery, East Ward: James Taylor Jr., Southeast Ward:
City Manager: Lee D. Garrity
Forsyth County
County Commissioners: Rtchard V Linville, Chair: Gloria D.
Whisenhunt, Vice Chair; Mark Baker, Walter Marshall David R.
Plyler, Bill Whiteheart, Everette Witherspoon:
County Manager: Dudley Watts Jr.
City-County Utility Commission
David Neill Chairman; James ?. Lowe, Vice Chairman; Toyoko
"Toy" Beaty; Harold E. Day; Harold R. Holmes; Charles D. Jewell
II: Janeen Lalik: Paul S. McGill Al H. Seymour;
J. Hill Stockton; Randall S. Tuttle