The highly-trained, state-certified staff at our Water Treatment Plant (WTP) continuously monitors the treatment process to ensure our water quality meets regulatory requirements. More than 100,000 tests are performed on hundreds of substances each year to ensure that your drinking water is safe. The WTP currently has the capacity to treat 22.5 million gallons per day (mgd).

During 2020, GUC treated an average of 13.5 million gallons of water a day.

©Greer Media Productions

Sources of drinking water – both tap and bottled – include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface or through the ground, it dissolves naturally- occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials, and may pick up substances resulting from human activity or the presence of animals.

Substances that may be present in source water include: biological contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria; inorganic

contaminants, such as salts and metals; pesticides and herbicides; organic chemicals from industrial or petroleum use; and natural or man-made radioactive materials.

To ensure tap water is safe to drink, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations limiting the amount of certain substances in water provided by public systems. U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must

provide the same protection of public health.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants, but 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 from the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800- 426-4791.

WHERE YOUR WATER COMES FROM

GUC’s Water Treatment Plant receives its water from the Tar River, which is classified as a surface water supply. Additionally, three area deep wells supplement the surface water supply.

Water from the Tar River is pumped into a 63-million-gallon pre-settling reservoir where large, heavy dirt particles begin to settle out as the water slowly moves to the outlet of the reservoir. From there, the water flows to the plant where a coagulant (chemical to help smaller dirt particles come together to form larger particles called floc) is added. The water then passes through a series of mixers, called flocculators, designed to facilitate the formation of floc. After the mixers, the water slows to a snail’s pace as it enters the sedimentation

basins. As it passes through the basins, about 95% of the floc settles to the bottom. The cleaner water from the top of the basin is then channeled to ozone tanks where it is ozonated. This part of the process is called primary disinfection. Harmful bacteria, germs, viruses and microorganisms are killed or inactivated by this process.

Next, the water is filtered where a majority of the remaining particles are removed. Additional chemical treatment happens next. Fluoride is added to help prevent tooth

decay, sodium hydroxide (caustic) is added to increase pH, phosphate is added for corrosion control and chlorine and ammonia are added to form chloramines, which function as the secondary disinfection in the distribution system.

Finished water is then pumped into three, 3,000,000-gallon ground storage tanks and into the distribution system, which includes two elevated tanks

as well as our customers’ homes and businesses.

Our Findings

Listed are substances detected in GUC’s treated water during 2020, unless otherwise noted. Not listed are other substances that were tested for (i.e., MTBE, Mercury, Petroleum products, etc.), but were not detected.

Total Coliform

(One Total Coliform detected during routine testing (RT). (RT=100/month)

Presence of coliform 1.0%n/a 0/0 bacteria in >5% of

monthly samples

Note From Chart

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.

GUC provides high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in home plumbing components. Minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing the tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using water

for drinking or cooking. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps to take to minimize exposure are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or at water.epa.gov/drink/info/lead/index.cfm.

Glossary Of Terms

Action Level – The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers additional treatment measures by the public water system.

Locational Running Annual Average – The average of sample analytical results for samples taken at a particular monitoring location during the previous four calendar quarters under the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) – The highest level of a contaminant allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technique.

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.

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 microbial contaminants.

Maximum Residual Disinfection Level Goal (MRDLG)– 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.

Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) – Turbidity is a measure of cloudiness in water.

Ninetieth Percentile – The concentration value exceeding the lower ninety percent of samples analyzed and exceeded by the upper ten percent.

Parts Per Billion (ppb) – One part per billion is comparable to one minute in two thousand years or one penny in $10,000,000.

Parts Per Million (ppm) – Equivalent to milligrams per liter. One part per million is comparable to one minute in two years, or one penny out of $10,000.

Picocuries Per Liter (pCi/L) – A measurement of radioactivity per liter.

Treatment Techniques (TT) – A required process intended to reduce the level of contaminants.

• – is greater than; < – is less than.

Every five years, the EPA issues the UCMR, a list of unregulated contaminants to be monitored by public water systems. The first UCMR was issued in September 1999.

Through the UCMR, public water

systems provide the EPA data about the presence of these unregulated contaminants in drinking water. The data allows the EPA to determine if the population is being exposed, quantify the level of exposure, and assess the impact of these unregulated contaminants on the

environment and public health. This is the first step in the EPA’s process to determine what new contaminants may need to be regulated.

For more information, visit the EPA Web site at water.epa.gov.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Public Water Supply (PWS) section’s Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) conducted assessments for all drinking water sources across North Carolina. The purpose of the assessments was to determine the susceptibility of each drinking water source (well or surface water intake) to Potential Contaminants Sources (PCSs). The results of the assessment are available in the SWAP Assessment Reports that include maps, background information and a relative susceptibility rating of Higher, Moderate or Lower. The relative susceptibility rating of each source for Greenville Utilities was determined by combining the contaminant rating (number and location of PCSs within the assessment area) and the inherent vulnerability rating (i.e., characteristics or existing

please mail a written request to: Source Water Assessment Program, Report Request, 1634 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1634, or email a request to swap@ncmail.net. If you have any questions about the SWAP report, please contact the Source Water Assessment Program by phone at (919) 715-2633.

A susceptibility rating of “higher” does not imply poor water quality, only the system’s potential to become contaminated by PCSs in the assessment area.

SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT PROGRAM FINDINGS

conditions of the well or watershed and its delineated assessment area). The assessment findings are summarized in the table to the right.

The report for GUC may be viewed on the web at: https://www. ncwater.org/?page=600. To obtain a printed copy of this report,

Greenville Utilities has four water sources from which to draw: the Tar River (Water Treatment Plant) and three wells located throughout GUC’s system. Susceptibility ratings are as follows:

SUSCEPTIBILITY WATER SOURCES

Higher: Water Treatment Plant

Moderate: WSW Well, SSW Well,

EPW Well

The WTP uses chloramines as its secondary disinfectant. Chloramines are intended to form fewer chemicals (by-products) in water, improve the taste and odor of water (compared to chlorine), and last longer in the distribution system to prevent bacterial growth.

Chloraminated water is safe for bathing, drinking, cooking and all

uses we have for water every day. However, there are two groups of people who need to take special care with chloraminated water: kidney dialysis patients and fish owners. Just like chlorine, chloramines must be removed from water used in kidney dialysis machines. If you are a dialysis patient or have questions, please call your physician or dialysis center.

Like chlorine, chloramines are toxic to fish. Fish owners need to remove chlorine, ammonia and chloramines from the water before use with tropical fish. Local pet stores carry water conditioners that remove chloramines. If you have questions, contact your

pet store for information and detailed instructions. For further information about chloramines and chlorine, please call (252) 551-1551.

Cryptosporidium is a microscopic organism that can cause diarrhea, fever and other gastrointestinal symptoms if ingested. The organism occurs in human and

animal wastes and may be present in local streams and lakes. State and Federal regulations do not require Greenville Utilities to test for cryptosporidium. We go the extra

mile to protect our customers and conduct tests monthly. The WTP includes an ozonation process that inactivates cryptosporidium.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS

or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk for infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their healthcare providers. EPA/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, 1-800-426-4791.

While temporarily stopped due to COVID restrictions, we usually provide tours of the WTP and make presentations to groups, including civic organizations and schools. We also have a variety of educational brochures available upon request.

Please contact us at (252) 551-1562 for more information. Our Board of Commissioners meets on the third Thursday of every month at noon, except in June. Meetings are normally held in the Board Room on the second floor of our Main

Office, 401 South Greene Street. The public is welcome to attend. Call 252-551-1500 ahead of time to see if the meeting will be held in person or virtually.

All customers expect their water to be clean and safe. That is why GUC makes sure the water delivered to each customer is of the highest quality. When water leaves the WTP, it is

at its freshest and purest. One of the ways GUC safeguards the water delivered to customers is through the cross-connection control program. This program is designed to prevent contamination of the public water system through an unprotected cross-connection. Whether these connections are permanent or temporary, they can be dangerous and could contaminate or pollute the public water system through backflow. Protective measures must be taken to prevent this potential backflow hazard.

Federal law requires GUC to protect the water supply from potential contamination or pollution. To do

this, all industrial, most commercial and all irrigation customers are required to install backflow prevention assemblies. These assemblies must be installed before any branching

of the customer’s plumbing can occur. Different types of backflow preventers are required depending on the hazard. Severe hazards exist when there is potential that backflow could create a health threat. Lawn irrigation systems, hospitals, medical offices and manufacturing plants using chemicals are some examples of a severe hazard. Moderate hazards exist from a backflow occurrence that causes discolored or aesthetically objectionable water, but is not a health threat. Restaurants and convenience stores are examples of moderate hazards.

Facilities on GUC’s public water system are evaluated to determine

which hazard(s), if any, may potentially exist and the type of backflow prevention assembly that is required. After an approved backflow prevention assembly has been installed and tested, it must be re-tested annually. Only individuals who have been certified through a GUC-approved testing school can test backflow assemblies.

Greenville Utilities constructed a backflow testing lab to ensure contractors and plumbers have the knowledge and skills needed to install and test backflow assemblies. Opened in March 2008, the Lab is housed in its own building on the grounds of the WTP and provides a site for quarterly recertification classes and bi-annual training classes. For more information on the Cross-Connection Control Program, call (252) 551-1551.

Save Water and Money—Use Water Wisely:

• Repair all leaks and drips. At one drop per second, a leaky faucet wastes nearly 2,500 gallons/year–enough water for 160 full dishwasher cycles.
• Limit showers to five minutes or less.
• Catch water in an empty tuna can to measure sprinkler output. 3/4 to 1 inch of water is enough to apply each time you irrigate.
• Ensure sprinklers water only the landscape, not driveways/streets.

To Properly Dispose of Hazardous Products:

• Motor Oil/Batteries: Take to the Pitt County Landfill on Allen Road, (252) 902-3350.

• Paint: Remove container lid and let paint harden completely. Containers with lids removed will be collected curbside.
• Pesticides/Herbicides: Contact North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at
  (252) 902-1700.
• You can prevent sanitary sewer overflows by disposing of cooking oils and grease as solid waste in your home garbage collection.

For More Information:

Environmental Protection Agency Ariel Rios Building

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Mail Code 3213A

Washington, DC 20460

202. 260-2090 (fax) www.epa.gov

Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791

NC Department of

Environmental Quality

1601 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-1601

919. 733-4984
     deq.nc.gov

American Water Works Association

6666 West Quincy Avenue

Denver, CO 80235

800. 926-7337 www.awwa.org

www.waterwiser.org

Greenville Utilities

PO Box 1847

Greenville, NC 27835-1847

252. 551-1551
     www.guc.com