Our Clean Water Commitment

The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (DWM) is pleased to provide its 2016 Water Quality Report (WQR). Compiled and presented by the DWM Office of Watershed Protection, this WQR supplies information about Atlanta’s drinking water system and shows that the City’s drinking water continues to meet or exceed standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as required by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The City conducts more than 50,000 tests annually to screen for more than 150 potential contaminants in its drinking water. The tables shown in this report list regulated substances that were detected, even if the amount was below the highest level allowed by EPA and federal regulations. Throughout 2016, DWM continued its efforts to rehabilitate the City’s drinking water infrastructure in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible. Through a five-year $1 billion Capital Improvement Program, DWM is moving forward with its Leak Detection Program and related Water Distribution System Improvement projects. These projects will reduce the amount of water lost to leaks, address water pressure issues and reduce discoloration in areas with older and/or leaking mains. For more information about these or other current City of Atlanta water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure enhancements, visit www.atlantawatershed.org.

Source Water Assessment

The City of Atlanta Water System and the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) have completed a source water assessment itemizing potential sources of surface water pollution to your drinking water supply. The results of this assessment can be found at http://www.atlantaregional.com/File%20Library/Environment/ SWAP_ATLFUL_RESULTS.PDF or you can request information by mail from the ARC. Attn: Katherine Zitsch Natural Resource Division Atlanta Regional Commission 40 Courtland Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30303 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 before we treat it include: Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming. Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, stormwater runoff and residential uses. Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems. Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the results of oil and gas production and mining activities.

The Source of Atlanta’s Water

Each day, the Atlanta water system provides approximately 120 million gallons of treated drinking water for more than 1.3 million residents in the metropolitan area. The Chattahoochee River serves as our only local surface water supply. The Chattahoochee Water Treatment Plant processes river water directly while the Hemphill Water Treatment Plant processes water from a reservoir that is filled from the river. Together the plants produce 75 percent of Atlanta’s drinking water. The rest is supplied by the Atlanta-Fulton County Water Treatment Plant that also processes water from the Chattahoochee River. Jointly owned by the City of Atlanta and Fulton County, it produces water for the northeast portion of our drinking water distribution system.

Community Relations

DWM’s Office of Communications & Community Relations educates and informs residents about water quality issues and infrastructure projects that may affect them. The office also includes a public education component designed to encourage and educate community groups, residents, schoolchildren and seniors about water conservation and water resource issues. For information about educational opportunities for your organization or community, please contact Rukiya Campbell at 404-546-3257.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that limit 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.

2016

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 EPA’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/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

City of Atlanta

WATER QUALITY REPORT Important Information

This report contains very important information about your drinking water. If you do not understand it, have someone explain it to you.

Información importante

Este informe contiene información muy importante. Traduscalo o hable con un amigo quien lo entienda bien. Contact Information: City of Atlanta • Department of Watershed Management Office of Watershed Protection • Laboratory Division 72 Marietta Street, NW • Atlanta, GA 30303 404-982-1468 To obtain a printable version of this report, please visit: www.atlantawatershed.org

Follow us or visit our website! @ATLWatershed www.atlantawatershed.org

WSID# GA1210001

Regulated – Drinking Water Regulated – Drinking Water

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbiological contaminants.

Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): A measure of the cloudiness of water. We monitor turbidity because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system.

About Lead and Copper

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. The City of Atlanta has no lead service lines, but does have some lead joints. The Department of Watershed Management is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in private plumbing components. When your water has been stagnant 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 (1-800-426-4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Key: for all units used in table AL Action Level MCL Maximum Contaminant Level MCLG Maximum Contaminant Level Goal MRDL Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level MRDLG Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal NA Not Applicable ND Not detected at testing limit NR Not regulated NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit ppb Parts per billion or micrograms per liter (one part per billion iscequivalent to one penny in 10 million dollars.) ppm Parts per million or milligrams per liter (one part per million is equivalent to one penny in 10 thousand dollars.) TT Treatment Technique LRAA Locational Running Annual Average TOC Total Organic Carbon

Range of Detections

Represents

Violation

Typical Source

SAMPLED AT THE TREATMENT PLANTS Parameter (units) Fluoride 4MCL Fluoride (ppm) (ppm) 4 SAMPLED AT THE TREATMENT PLANTS Nitrate 10 Nitrate as as Nitrogen Nitrogen (ppm) (ppm) 10 Fluoride (ppm) 4 Total Organic Carbon (ratio) Treatment Technique Total Organic Carbon (ratio) Treatment Technique Nitrate as Nitrogen (ppm) 10 Turbidity (NTU) TT =1 NTU Turbidity (NTU)Carbon (ratio) TT =1 NTUTechnique Total Organic Treatment Turbidity (% of samples <0.3 NTU) 95 Turbidity (% of samples <0.3 NTU) 95 Turbidity (NTU) TT =1 NTU SAMPLED IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Result 0.75 0.75

Range of Detections 0.60 0.60 -- 0.83 0.83

Represents Highest Highest Monthly Monthly Average Average

Violation No No

0.7 0.7 0.75 1.00* 1.00* 0.7 0.31 0.31 1.00* 100 100 0.31

0.5 0.5 -- 0.8 0.8 0.60 - 0.83 1.0 1.0 1.0 - 1.0 0.5 - 0.8 NA NA 1.0 - 1.0 NA NA NA

Yearly Yearly Average Average Highest Monthly Average Highest Monthly Highest Monthly Ratio Ratio Yearly Average Highest Detected Highest DetectedRatio Highest Monthly Lowest Monthly Percentage Lowest Monthly Percentage Highest Detected

No No No No No No No No No No No No

Water Typicaladditive Sourcewith promotes strong strong teeth teeth Runoff from use Water additive with promotes Runoff from fertilizer fertilizer use Naturally present strong teeth Naturally present in in the the environment Runoff from fertilizer use environment Soil runoffpresent in the Naturally

2016

Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.

Regulated WaterResult Parameter (units) – Drinking MCL

Soil runoff

Soil runoff environment Soil runoff Soil runoff SAMPLED IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Water additive used to control Turbidity (ppm) (% of samples <0.3 NTU) 95 100 NA - 1.39 Lowest Monthly No Soil runoff Chlorine MRDL=4 1.39 1.07 Highest Monthly Percentage Average No Water additive used to control microbes Chlorine (ppm) MRDL=4 1.39 1.07 - 1.39 Highest Monthly Average No SAMPLED IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM microbes of drinking water By-product Haloacetic Acids (ppb) 60 45 24 - 45 Highest Quarterly LRAA No Water additive used to water control By-product of drinking chlorination Chlorine (ppm) MRDL=4 1.39 1.07 1.39 Highest Monthly Average No Haloacetic Acids (ppb) 60 45 24 - 45 Highest Quarterly LRAA No microbes Naturally present in the chlorination Total Coliform (% of samples) 5.0 3.1 NA Highest Monthly Percentage No By-product of drinking water environment Naturally present in the Haloacetic Acids (ppb) 60 45 24 - 45 Highest Quarterly LRAA No Total Coliform (% of samples) 5.0 3.1 NA Highest Monthly Percentage No chlorinationof drinking water By-product environment Total Trihalomethanes (ppb) 80 70 23 - 70 Highest Quarterly LRAA No Naturally present in the chlorination Total Coliform (% of samples) 5.0 3.1 NA Highest Monthly Percentage No By-product environmentof drinking water Total Trihalomethanes 80 70 23 - 70 Highest Quarterly LRAA No *TOC is a calculated removal ratio. (ppb) chlorinationof drinking water Some whoTrihalomethanes drink water trihalomethanes in excess of 70 the MCL over many years may experience problems liver, kidneys, or By-product central nervous systems, Total (ppb) 80 23 - 70 Highest Quarterly LRAAwith their No *TOC people is a calculated removal ratio.containing chlorination and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Range of *TOC is a calculated removal ratio. Parameter (units) MCL Result Detections Represents Violation Typical Source Range of SAMPLED AT CONSUMER TAPS Parameter (units) MCL Result Detections Represents Violation Typical Source Range of Corrosion of household th Copper (ppm)* AL= 0.1* 0Detections of 51 90 Percentile No SAMPLED AT CONSUMER TAPS Parameter (units) MCL1.3 Result Represents Violation Typical Source plumbing systems SAMPLED AT CONSUMER TAPS Corrosion of of household household th Corrosion th Copper (ppm)* AL= 15 1.3 0.1* of 51 51 90 Percentile Percentile No Lead (ppb)* AL= 2.5* 10 of 90 No Corrosionsystems of household plumbing th Copper (ppm)* AL= 1.3 0.1* 0 of 51 90 Percentile No plumbing systems Corrosion of household *Triennial Monitoring Lead (ppb)* AL= 15 2.5* 1 of 51 90th Percentile No Corrosionsystems of household plumbing th Lead (ppb)* AL= 15 2.5* 1 of 51 90 Percentile No plumbing systems *Triennial Monitoring *Triennial Monitoring As authorized by Georgia EPD, our system has reduced monitoring requirements for certain contaminants to less often than once per year because the concentration of these

2015

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): 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.

Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

Unregulated – River Water

contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. Some of our data,Range though of representative, is more than one year old. Parameter (units) MCL Unregulated – Water Unregulated Water Unregulated – River River Water Result SAMPLED–ATRiver THE SOURCE WATER

2013

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): 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.

Detections

Represents

Violation

Typical Source

Result 1* Result

Range of Range of 0Detections – 1* Detections

Represents Highest Detected Represents

Not regulated Not regulated

0.1* 1* 1*

0 – 0.1* 0 – 1* 0 – 1*

Highest Detected Highest Detected Highest Detected

Not Not regulated regulated

0.1* 0.1*

00 –– 0.1* 0.1*

Highest Highest Detected Detected

MCL determination Violation Violation pending MCL determination MCL determination pending MCL determination pending pending MCL MCL determination determination pending pending

Naturally present in the Typical Source Typical Source environment Naturally present in the Naturally present in the environment Naturally present in the environment environment Naturally Naturally present present in in the the environment environment

Parameter (units) MCLregulated Cryptosporidium (organism/sample) Not Parameter (units) MCL SAMPLED AT THE SOURCE WATER SAMPLED AT THE SOURCE WATER Cryptosporidium (oocyst/L) Not regulated Cryptosporidium (organism/sample)

Cryptosporidium *Monitoring ended September (organism/sample) 2013

Cryptosporidium Cryptosporidium (oocyst/L) (oocyst/L) *Monitoring ended September *Monitoring ended September 2013 2013

Cryptosporidium was detected in two source water samples in September. Cryptosporidium was not detected in any other samples, including drinking water. Cryptosporidium is a microbial parasite found in surface water throughout the United States. Our monitoring indicates the presence of these organisms in our untreated source water. There have been no detections in treated finished drinking water. When ingested, it can cause symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Cryptosporidium must be ingested to cause disease, however it may be spread through means other than drinking water. Most healthy individuals are able to overcome the disease within a few weeks. Immuno-compromised people have more difficulty and are at greater risk of developing severe, life-threatening illnesses and are encouraged to consult their doctor regarding appropriate precautions to prevent infection.

Unregulated – Drinking Water Unregulated – Drinking Water

2013

Definitions and Key

Range of Parameter (units) Reference Point Result Detections SAMPLED AT THE TREATMENT PLANTS AND IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Represents

Chlorate (ppb)

210

153

68 - 280

Biannual Average

Chromium (ppb)

100

0.20

0.20 - 0.21

Biannual Average

Hexavalent Chromium (ppb)

NA

0.14

0.11 – 0.21

Biannual Average

Strontium (ppb)

4000

31

28 – 34

Biannual Average

Vanadium (ppb)

21

0.30

0.23 – 0.34

Biannual Average

Violation

Typical Source

MCL determination pending No

By-product of drinking water chlorination Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits Naturally present in the environment Naturally present in the environment Naturally present in the environment

MCL determination pending MCL determination pending MCL determination pending