City Manager's Bi-Weekly Report Vol 3 | Issue 9 | May 2019 | Page 27
DRINKING WATER WEEK: A TIME TO RECOGNIZE THIS PRECIOUS RESOURCE
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our water treatment professionals
at the Prineville and James E. Anderson Plants, Port St. Lucie customers always
have water when they turn on the tap. But for 1 in 9 people worldwide, that’s
not the case. Millions do not have access to safe and clean drinking water. May 5
through May 11, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and its members
celebrate Drinking Water Week. Water plays a vital role in our daily lives. You
can survive for a few weeks without food, but only a few days without water.
While some must journey miles to get it, some take it for granted and overuse
it. Drinking Water Week is an opportunity for both water professionals and the
communities they serve to join together in recognizing this precious resource.
PROTECTING WATER AT ITS SOURCE
There are over 73,000 connections to our vast water distribution system,
which encompasses more that 1,200 miles of water main. When connections
are properly installed and maintained, the risks of contamination are very
minimal. However, unapproved and improper piping changes or connections
can adversely affect not only the availability, but also the quality of the water.
A cross connection may let polluted water or even chemicals mingle into the
water supply system when not properly protected. This not only compromises
the water quality, it can also affect your health. So, what can you do? Do
not make or allow improper connections at your home. An unprotected
garden hose lying in a puddle is a cross connection. An unprotected lawn
sprinkler system is also a cross connection. Also, residents in neighborhoods
utilizing reclaimed water for irrigation must take precautions to prevent cross
connections. Reclaimed water is not suitable for potable use and must not
be connected to household plumbing. When the cross connection is allowed
to exist at your home, it will affect you and your family first. Read the current
Water Quality Report.
KNOW YOUR LOCAL H20
The City’s water supply comes from two independent sources, the shallow
aquifer and the deeper Floridan aquifer. Raw water from the shallow aquifer,
which is about 100 feet deep, is treated by an 8.0 million gallon-per day lime
softening facility. This process is a combination of pH adjustments with lime,
coagulation with a polymer, multi-media filtration, and disinfection with
chloramines. The deeper Floridan aquifer, which is about 1,350 feet deep, is
treated by an 11.15 million gallon-per day and a 22.5 million gallon-per day
reverse osmosis facilities. Both finished waters are blended, pH adjusted,
disinfected, and fluoride is added. In order to ensure that tap water is safe
to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations, which 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, which must provide the same protection for public health.
Watch to learn more about the reverse osmosis treatment process.
WATER CONSERVATION
The environment, the economy, and our quality of life are all
connected by water. As Port St. Lucie’s population grows, so does
the need for all residents to conserve water. Water conservation is
less expensive than developing new sources and it reduces stress on
our natural systems. Being environmentally responsible also saves
you money on your water bill. You are part of a larger movement
that ensures a sustainable water supply for generations to come.
Make water conservation as much a part of your life as water itself.
Learn more about ways to save water.
U T I L I T Y. C I T YO F P S L . C O M
U T I L I T Y S Y S T E M S D E PA R T M E N T
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