Update on Water Chlorine Level Concerns

A few individuals have forwarded us information they received after contacting the EPA and the County health department regarding the water.  Keep in mind that the test results sited in these emails were from tests taken after the city was notified of our findings and they obviously did make adjustments.  Here are some of the responses received:

From: Matthew_Nickerson@doh.state.fl.us
Date: 3/11/2011 3:06:03 PM
To: helppolkcityresidents@earthlink.net
Cc: van.hoofnagle@dep.state.fl.us; Gwen.Shofner@dep.state.fl.us; Donald_Ehlenbeck@doh.state.fl.us; Jennifer_Wisdom@doh.state.fl.us

Subject: Water Concerns

Dear Polk City Residents,

This e-mail is in regards to your recent concerns regarding the Polk City Water System. I was asked to look into this matter. Yesterday, March 10, 2011, I performed Sanitary Surveys of both the Polk City Water System and the Mount Olive Water System. I did not find any significant deficiencies during my inspections. As part of the Sanitary Surveys I checked free and total chlorine residuals at multiply points in the distribution system. The highest chlorine residual I recorded for the Polk City System was 1.67 mg/L free and 1.68 mg/L total. The highest chlorine residual I recorded for the Mount Olive Water System was a 2.23 mg/L free and 2.39 mg/L total. Both of these reading where at the water plants. I also checked the Operation and Maintenance logs at each water plant. The Water Operator checks that chlorine residual at the water plants and the distribution system 6 days per week and records them in these logs. I did not see any incident of a high chlorine residual.

There was also a concern that the City had not provided Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) since 2007. The City had indeed drafted and sent CCRs for both 2008 and 2009. This office reviews the CCRs for the community water system in Polk County each year. The City sent the CCRs to residents with their water bills. I have attached PDF copies of the 2008 and 2009 CCRs. The 2010 CCR is due later this year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me by e-mail or phone. I am out of the office all day on Mondays, and multiply times during the week, but will return your calls as soon as I can.

Sincerely,

Matthew A. Nickerson
Environmental Specialist II
Polk County Health Department
Environmental Engineering
(863)519-8330 ext. 12154


From: Meyer.Larry@epamail.epa.gov <Meyer.Larry@epamail.epa.gov>
Subject: Chlorine Levels in Polk City Water System
To: ahuker@yahoo.com
Cc: Shaw.Charlene@epamail.epa.gov
Date: Monday, March 14, 2011, 9:53 AM

Dear Ms. Huke:

The Region 4 Office of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
has been in contact with the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection and the Polk County Health Department regarding your concerns
about chlorine levels in water from the Polk City Water System. On
March 10, 2011, the Polk County Health Department tested the water at
the system and found the highest levels of chlorine were 1.67 mg/L free
and 1.68 mg/L total. These are acceptable levels of chlorination for
water from the system.

I have attached the 2008 and 2009 Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) for
the water system. These were mailed to the water system's customers
with their water bills. The 2010 CCR will be mailed with the water
bills later this year. The water system is not required to post the CCR
on its webpage. However, since it has voluntarily posted the CCR it was
felt that the posting should be kept up-to-date. The system has agreed
to update their website to reflect the latest CCR.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

Larry Meyer
Drinking Water Program
U. S. EPA, Region 4
61 Forsyth St.
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 562-9449

Here are links to the attachments sent on these emails: 2008 Polk City Water Quality Report  2009 Polk City Water Quality Report

These water quality reports above do have somewhat of a disclaimer.  They state, "Is our water safe for everyone? Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than 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. US EPA/Center for Disease Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available on the web at epa.gov/safewater or telephone the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) for any drinking water issue." 

Hopefully in the future, Polk City will keep a closer eye on water conditions and these reports will be readily available on their website so everyone can easily find them, instead of only as an addition to the water bill mailing once a year.