Diligent Testing Keeps Our Drinki Happy Drinking Water Week SUBMITTED BY THE CCWSA ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
In the spirit of celebration, we wanted to let you know about one of our lesser-known holidays; Drinking Water Week, which is May 2-8. We will celebrate our water resources and the importance of water in our lives. This holiday has been celebrated by the American Water Works Association for more than 40 years. Clean, safe, reliable tap (drinking) water is a commodity most people take for granted and rarely consider it a luxury that many people are not able to enjoy. One of the most common questions we hear is, “How do I know my water is safe to drink?” Since 1974, the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) has protected the interest of Americans. SDWA has changed and been amended several times over the years to address new contaminants and problems. We can thank the SDWA for, among other things, boil water notices when the opportunity for contamination has occurred, and the requirement for water providers to publish a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Every year, water providers around the country are required to test for a long list of contaminants, looking for levels as low as parts per
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AROUND CANTON | May 2021
billion. To better understand this concept, one part per billion is the concentration of a packet of sugar dissolved in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. It also is important to note that every five years, the Environmental Protection Agency creates a list of potential contaminants to look for during testing, and develops solutions to eliminate those contaminants. Extensive research is then done on this list to determine any impact on humans. If a negative impact is discovered, testing will continue and listed in the CCR. With this information, customers can make an educated decision about whether or not they want further treatment for their drinking water.
The CCR for Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority can be found on our website, www.ccwsa. com, and at our main office, 140 W. Main St., Canton, upon request. Water plant tours will be offered on May 4 and May 6. To sign up, call Lori Forrester at 770-479-1813 Ext. 246 or email lori.forrester@ ccwsa.com. If you ever have a concern about the taste or color of your drinking water, we recommend you check the Frequently Asked Questions page on the website: https://ccwsa.com/frequentlyasked-questions/. If you still have questions or a concern, please contact us at 770479-1813 and we will be more than happy to answer your question and/ or come take a sample.
