HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 02 28 Informational 302 Notice of Publication of a Violation of a Drinking Water Standard
COMMISSION AGENDA
ITEM 302
CONSENT
INFORMATIONAL X
PUBLIC HEARING
REGULAR
February 28, 2005
Meeting
MGR f /DEPT /~
Authorization
REQUEST: Utility Department Informing the City Commission of a Notice of Publication
of a Violation of a Drinking Water Standard.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to inform the City Commission that Public
Notification is required for unsatisfactory total coliform bacteriological test results
from November 2004
CONSIDERATIONS:
The two attached letters were received from the DEP stating that in November
2004 the primary maximum contamination level for coliform bacteria was exceeded in the
monthly reports for the potable water systems. Resamples had no contamination
violations indicating operator sampling contamination from the hose bib or contact as the
likely source. Resampling has been the acceptable practice whenever this has occurred in
the past. However, FDEP will now be enforcing the requirements of Florida
Administrative Codes 62-550 and 62-560 which requires notification in a local daily
newspaper to report this incident. The attached public notice has the required ten (10)
elements in accordance with Rule 62-560. This notice will be published in the Orlando
Sentinel on March 1, 2005.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. DEP letters
2. Public Notice
COMMISSION ACTION:
Department of
Environmental Protection
Jeb Bush
Governor
Central District
3319 Maguire Boulevard, Suite 232
Orlando, Florida 32803-3767
Colleen M. Castille
Secretary
VIA E-MAIL
klockcuff@winterspringsfl.org
OCD-PW-CE-05-0104
Mr. Kipton Lockcuff, P.E., Utilities Director
Winter Springs East (Tuscawilla)
110 N. Flamingo Avenue
Winter Springs, FL 32708
Seminole County -PW
Winter Springs East (Tuscawilla)
PWS ID No. 3591394
Unsatisfactory Bacterioloaical Tests - Public Notice
Dear Mr. Lockcuff:
This is in reference to unsatisfactory (total coliform positive) bacteriological tests on drinking water
samples collected in the distribution system at the subject community water system on November 04,
2004. This has caused the system to exceed the primary maximum contaminant level (MCL) in
November, 2004, in violation of Rule 62-550.310(5)(a), Florida Administrative Code (FAC.).
Rule 62-560.410(1)(a) 1., FAC. (see attachment) sets forth the public notification requirements, which a
supplier of water must comply with when a MCL is exceeded. Public notice shall be given by publication
in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the area served by the water system as soon as possible,
but in no case later than 30 days atter the violation.
Notice by mail or hand delivery will not be required in accordance with Rule 62-560.410(1)(a) 2., F.A.C.,
because the violation was corrected within the 45-day period. Samples collected at the poisitive locations
on November 8 and 9 were satisfactory. All of the repeat samples collected on December 27 were
satisfactory and the December compliance samples collected on December 09 and 28 were satisfactory.
The Public Notice must contain the information listed in the Mandatory Health Effects Language
Publication (attached) and the 10 required elements contained in the EPA Public Notification Handbook
(also attached).
Please submit to this office the completed form attached, "PWS CERTIFICATION OF DELIVERY
OF PUBLIC NOTICE", to verify that the required public notification has been done, along with a
copy of the public notice within ten days of receipt of this letter.
"More Protection, Less Process"
Printed on recycled paper.
.I
Kipton Lockcuff, P. E., Utilities Director
OCE-PW-CE-05-0104
Page 2
In accordance with 62-550.824, FAC., this system is deemed ineligible for the Consumer Confidence
Report mailing waiver for the report due July 1, 2005.
If you have any questions concerning the public notice, yo
Thank you for your cooperation in resolving this matter.
Christianne C. Ferraro, P.E.
~~rr~ Adminis~~
~e'11~ Tnagemen!
Date
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Attachments
cc: Seminole County Health Department
Doug Taylor, Utilities Superintendent, VIA FAX (407) 327-4751
Kim Dodson, DEP Drinking Water Compliance/Enforcement
Paul J. Morrison, DEP Drinking Water Compliance/Enforcement
Jerry Greer, DEP Drinking Water Compliance
NOTICE TO RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Tests Showed Presence of Coliform Bacteria
Recent tests performed on the City of Winter Springs water system resulted in a violation of a
drinking water standard. The test results did not constitute an emergency or a threat to public
health. Although follow up tests indicated that the original test results were flawed, as our
customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did to correct this situation.
The City of Winter Springs routinely monitors for drinking water contaminants. In November
2004, we took a total of 45 samples to test for the presence of coliform bacteria. Four (4) of our
samples tested positive. The standard is that no more than one (1) sample per month may test
positive.
What should I do?
You do not need to boil you water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have
specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased
risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EP A's
Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. Coliform
bacteria are generally not harmful themselves. Coliforms are bacteria which are naturally present
in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be
present Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential
problems.
Usually, coliforms are a sign that there could be a problem with out treatment or distribution system
(pipes). Whenever we detect coliform bacteria in any sample, we do follow-up testing to see if
other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. We did not find
any of these bacteria in our subsequent testing, and further testing shows that this problem
has been resolved.
What happened? What was done?
We took additional samples for coliform bacteria which all came back negative. As an added
precaution, we chlorinated and flushed the pipes in the distribution system to make sure bacteria
were eliminated. This situation is now resolved.
For more information, please contact Steve Baggs at 407-327-8992 or write to the Utility Directors
office at the City of Winter Springs, 1126 East S.R. 434 Winter Springs FI 32708.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who
may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes,
schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing
copies by hand or mail
This notice is being sent to you by the City of Winter Springs State Water System ill # 3591394 & 3590879