From The Environmental Protection Agency

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.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include the following:

1. Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria that may be from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, or wildlife;

2. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, that 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 that 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, that are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems; and

5. Radioactive contaminants that can be naturally-occurring or can be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

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 EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 800-426-4791. Information on bottled water can be obtained from the FDA.

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 from their health care providers. EPA/CDC (Center for Disease Control) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 800-426-4791. 

The City of Peoria Utilities Department is committed to providing a safe, healthy, assured water supply to the community at a reasonable cost. City of Peoria drinking water is “treated, tested, and safe.” This is a phrase commonly used, but what does it mean to you as a consumer?

Treated – Since the city’s drinking water originates from groundwater and surface water, two different treatment methods are used. Water from wells is chlorinated prior to delivery. Surface water undergoes extensive treatment at either the Pyramid Peak or Greenway Water Treatment Plants to meet drinking water standards. These facilities use conventional and chemical treatment including chlorine dioxide or ozone to mitigate taste and odor, and minimize disinfection by-products.

Tested – Over 200 tests are performed by plant operators each day, and several parameters are monitored continuously using state-of-the-art equipment, which notifies staff members of any deviations from acceptable conditions. Once the water leaves the water supply well or water treatment plant, water quality is measured within the distribution system to ensure drinking water standards are maintained.

Safe – Drinking water safety is the primary concern of the Utilities Department. Safety is achieved by coordinating technology and qualified staff members to monitor production systems, sample the distribution system, and evaluate opportunities to continually enhance the program while minimizing cost to our customers.

Water is treated and tested at groundwater wells and treatment plants and then monitored to ensure it remains safe on the way to your tap. Numerous chemical and biological analyses are conducted daily. A wide variety of compounds are monitored and tested for in your drinking water, in accordance with federal and state laws and local water quality guidelines.

The Peoria Utilities Department supports a committee of the Arizona Water and Pollution Control Association called Tap WATER REPORT 2007  Into Quality (TIQ). TIQ provides educational materials to schools and the public on tap water safety and quality.

For more information on TIQ please visit tapintoquality.com.

« Table of Contents

« Previous Page - Next Page »