The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, 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 substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

1. Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
2. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
3. Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses.
4. Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.
5. Radioactive contaminants which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons such as persons 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 from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Clay County Utility Authority

Working Together to Protect Public Health, to Conserve Our Natural Resources, and to Create Long-term Value for our Ratepayers.

How is Your Water?

One of our most important natural resources is our water supply. Clearly, a safe, economical and abundant drinking water supply is absolutely essential for maintaining good health. Water resources are also important in maintaining the economic vitality of our community.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to inform you about the quality of your water.

2020 Water Quality Testing Result Table for the Orange Park Grid

Stage 1 Disinfectant / Stage 2 Disinfection By-Products - For Chlorine, the level detected is the annual average of the monthly averages. For Haloacetic Acids and TTHM, the range of results is (lowest to highest) at the individual

Important Note: One sample during 2020 (1495 Wells Rd., January) had a TTHM result of 127.8 ppb, which exceeds the MCL of 80 ppb. However, the system did not incur an MCL violation, because all annual average results at all sites were below the MCL. Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Lead and Copper (Tap Water)

plumbing. CCUA 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 2 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 on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Definitions:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has performed a source water assessment on our system in 2020 and search of the data sources indicated seventeen (17) sources that have a low to moderate susceptibility level as potential sources of contamination near our wells. The assessment results are available on the DEP Source Water Assessment and Protection Program website at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/swapp.

- WATER SUPPLY -

The Clay County Utility Authority routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations. Except where indicated otherwise, this report is based on the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2020. Data obtained before January 1, 2020 and presented in this report are from the most recent testing done in accordance with the laws, rules, and regulations.

Our community is blessed with an abundant supply of drinking water. Our water comes from the Floridan Aquifer. The Floridan Aquifer is a vast area that underlies approximately 100,000 square miles in southern Alabama, southeastern Georgia, southern South Carolina and all of Florida. The Floridan Aquifer contains high quality ground water that is confined well below ground level.

Geologic formations, known as confining layers protect ground water from contamination. Locally, Keystone Heights is a primary recharge area for the Floridan Aquifer. Natural recharge from areas as far away as Georgia also helps to maintain water levels in the aquifer.

In your area, we use twenty-six (26) wells located at eleven (11) separate water treatment plants (known as the Orange Park Grid) to withdraw water from the Floridan aquifer. These wells average approximately 1,000 feet in depth. After water has been withdrawn from the aquifer, it is aerated, disinfected and then pumped to your home. Our highest priority at the Clay County Utility Authority is to ensure our customers have safe drinking water. In order to make sure we have an adequate water supply in the future, the Authority has implemented an impressive water resource protection and conservation program. ❖

-We Welcome Your Views-

The Clay County Utility Authority’s Board of Supervisors meets at 2:00 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Board sessions are open to the public and are held in the boardroom at our facility at 3176 Old Jennings Rd., Middleburg, FL 32068. We are also pleased to announce that this information and much more can be found on our website at http://www.clayutility.org.

If you have questions regarding this brochure or are interested in learning more about your water quality, feel free to call our office, and ask for Ross Bland or Leslie Hess. To arrange a tour of one of our facilities for your organization, contact our public relations department at 904-272-5999.❖