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GREATER PINE ISLAND

WATER ASSOCIATION, INC.

                                2009 ANNUAL CONSUMER REPORT ON THE QUALITY OF TAP WATER

                                      We are proud to report that the water provided by the Greater Pine Island

                                    Water Association, Inc. meets or exceeds established water quality standards.

 OVERVIEW

In 1965 the Greater Pine Island Water Association, Inc. was formed. Since that time the Association has seen many changes and upgrades to its once small system. The largest change came in 1993, when the Greater Pine Island Water Association, Inc. began operation of its new 1.5 MGD Reverse Osmosis Water treatment facility. The water treated by the new plant was withdrawn from 3 deep wells. The next change came in 2002 when a plant upgrade allowed us to produce an additional 750,000 gallons of water per day. Also included in this expansion was the drilling of an additional well. With both of these projects completed the plant was then able to produce a total of 2.25 million gallons of water per day and store 5 million in its two storage tanks. In 2005 the Association completed the building of a  pumping station in Matlacha with the storage capacity of 750,000 gallons of water that will provide better fire protection and meet the needs of our growing membership. In 2009 a fifth deep well was added.  The Association continues to make improvements to provide an adequate supply of potable water to our growing membership.

WATER SOURCE

Our system pumps groundwater from an aquifer known as the Lower Hawthorne by five deep wells that are approximately 750 feet deep.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) is the method by which the impurities that occur naturally in our waters are removed.  The two major impurities that we deal with are chlorides and total dissolved solids (TDS). In 1998, Boyle Engineering, Inc completed a water quality study for the Greater Pine Island Water Association, Inc. The conclusion of the report was that Greater Pine Island Water Association, Inc. has superior potable (drinking water) water quality. For disinfection purposes the addition of liquid chlorine is added to the water before it is stored for delivery, this ensures its quality when it reaches your faucet.

 The Greater Pine Island Water Association, Inc., as required by regulatory agencies, has undertaken lead and copper testing of individual member’s tap water at various locations throughout our service area, in the years 1994, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, and 2007.  The next required sampling will be in the year 2010.  We are happy and proud to report that in each of the sampling years there were no samples exceeding the maximum contaminant level for either lead or copper.  To further protect our members from contaminants such as lead and copper from leaching into your water from piping and fixtures in your house we add a corrosion inhibitor. This product also helps protect copper piping and metal fixtures in your house. 

additional Health information

 In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.  The Food & 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 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 (1-800-426-4791). 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:

 (A)    Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agriculture livestock operations, and wildlife;

(B)     Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming;

(C)    Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, storm water runoff, and residential uses;

(D)    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;

(E)    Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

 Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than is the general population.  Immuno-compromised 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.  Although Cryptosporidium is not a problem associated with groundwater supply.  EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminates are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or visit their web site at sdwa@epamail.epa.gov

DID YOU KNOW?

In 2009, approximately 457 million gallons of water was distributed to our customers.  We continue to upgrade distribution lines, plant flow capacities and better methods of providing our members service. The Board of Directors of your Association continue to place fire hydrants on all newly upgraded lines as a community service.

How to Read The Test Result Table:

 The table shows the results of our finished water quality analyses. Although we ran many more tests than shown, only the listed substances were found in our water.  All are below the MCL required.  For a list of all regulated contaminants we test for and the results, please contact Bill Thacher at 239-283-1071 between 8AM and 5PM Monday thru Friday.  A complete listing can also be viewed on the FDEP homepage (www.dep.state.fl.us).  The table contains the name of each substance, the highest level allowed by regulation (MCL), and the amount detected along with a description of the contaminants major source.

Water Quality Data Table Terms and Abbreviations

AL=Action Level – the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

MCL=Maximum Contaminant Level – the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water.  MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MCLG=Maximum Contaminant Level Goal - the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health.  MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

MRDL=Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level – the level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water.  There is convincing evidence that the addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

MRDLG=Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal – the level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health.  MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

pCi/L=picocuries per liter  - a measure of the radioactivity in water

ppm=parts per million or Milligrams per liter (mg/l) – one part by weight of analyte to 1 million parts by weight of the water sample

ppb=parts per billion or Micrograms per liter (ug/l) – one part by weight of analyte to 1 billion parts by weight of the water sample

TT=Treatment technique

Lead - If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children.  Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing.  GPIWA 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 at 1-800-426-4791 or http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Explanation of Violations:

No violations occurred in the Greater Pine Island Water Association, Inc. water supply during 2009.

Water Quality Table footnotes:

GPIWA does not test for Cryptosporidium. This is not a problem associated with groundwater.

GPIWA does not test for radon.  DEP has not set regulations for testing.

GPIWA does not add fluoride to the water supply.  Any detected level present is naturally occurring trace amounts.

National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Compliance

More information on Water Quality Data for community water systems throughout the United States is available at www.waterdata.com.  This report was prepared using “CCRbuilder” and technical assistance provided by the American Water Works Association.

Si usted quiere recibir este folleto en espanol, por favor llame al telefono 239-283-1071.

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