​​​Dear Customers,

Broward County Water and Wastewater Services (WWS) is pleased to provide you with its 2019 Water Quality Report. In 2019, WWS continued its tradition of providing high quality drinking water to our customers at a reasonable price. Once again, our water met or exceeded all federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

Last year, Broward County Water and Wastewater Services continued its efforts to provide quality services through continued construction for WWS’ Local Utility Program. The program began in 2009 with the Utility Analysis Zone (UAZ) projects. UAZ projects focus on water and sanitary sewer improvements which are currently estimated at $275 million over the next 20 years.

WWS’ commitment to serving our valued customers was recognized by both professional regulatory authorities and our peers as we received the following prestigious awards:

2019 Water Resources Utility of the Future Today (UotFT) Honoree. UotFT Recognition Program honors forward-thinking, innovative water utilities that are providing resilient value-added service to communities, particularly in community engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients.

2019 National Association of Counties National Achievement Awards for the Safety of Excellence Program, a proactive, behavior-based Safety Committee Program at WWS, initiated by Broward’s Risk Management Division. The program encourages workers, supervisors and management to coordinate efforts to better comprehend the complexity of safety and health issues in the workplace and enhance a positive safety culture.

We take a great deal of pride in the job we do and recognize that we play a vital role in maintaining the health and well-being of our customers. We remain steadfast in our commitment to always do our best to provide the highest quality of service. On behalf of Water and Wastewater Services’ 400+ employees, we thank you for your support and appreciate the opportunity to serve you --our valued customers!

Alan W. Garcia, P.E., Director
Broward County Water and Wastewater Services

What does the utility do to assure my drinking water complies
with federal and state standards?

Before water ever reaches your tap, it goes through a multi-step treatment process.

Where does my water come from?

Your tap water originates from the Biscayne Aquifer, which lies 50-200 feet underground. The Aquifer is comprised primarily of limestone and sand.

Biscayne Aquifer

As a groundwater source, the Aquifer is naturally protected from undesirable microbial pathogens that are common in surface water supplies. This is due to the natural filtration that occurs in the Aquifer and the amount of time the water resides in the ground prior to being withdrawn.

Source Water Assessment

In 2019 the Florida Department of Environmental Protection performed a Source Water Assessment on our systems. The assessment was conducted to provide information about any potential sources of contamination in the vicinity of our wells. There are three (3) potential sources of contamination identified for the 1A system with a low susceptibility level, and nine (9) potential sources of contamination identified for the 2A system with a low susceptibility level. In 2019, FDEP performed a Source Water Assessment for the City of Hollywood which provides water for our 3A and 3B/C systems; there are fourteen (14) potential sources of contamination identified for the 3A/3BC systems with a low to moderate susceptibility level. The assessment results are available on the FDEP Source Water Assessment Protection Program website at dep.state.fl.us/swapp or they can be obtained from the City of Hollywood Water Quality Division by calling 954-921-3414.

Softening

At the water treatment plant, the ground water is initially treated with lime and ferric chloride to reduce hardness and color. During this step of the treatment process, chemicals are added so that most of the hardness and particles in the water can be easily removed.

Fluoridation

Following softening, fluoride is added for enhanced protection against tooth decay.

Filtration

Filtration is used following softening to further treat the softened water by removing the remaining particulate matter from the treated water.

Disinfection

Disinfection, which is the final treatment step, is accomplished by the addition of chlorine and ammonia, otherwise known as chloramines. A small amount (residual levels) of chloramines disinfectant is maintained throughout the distribution system in order to control microbial regrowth.

Monitoring

Broward County Water and Wastewater (WWS) Services routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations. Except where indicated otherwise, this report is based on the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2019. Data obtained before January 1, 2019, and presented in this report are from the most recent testing done in accordance with the laws, rules, and regulations.

More than 23,000 tests are performed each year to comply with national standards in WWS’ NELAP* certified drinking water laboratory.

WWS also employs certified water treatment operators who conduct more than 317,000 process control tests annually. These tests ensure that the water treated and delivered to Broward County customers meets or exceeds all federal requirements for safe drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The following provided table lists the parameters set by the Safe Drinking Water Act and the levels detected in potable water for Districts 1A, 2A, 3A and 3B/C.

*National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP Institute/TNI)

What is in my water? Test Results

(3A and 3BC water supplied by the City of Hollywood)

Definitions for the Tables

How Do Contaminants Get Into Drinking Water?

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 include:

• (A) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.
  
• (B) 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.
  
• (C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff and residential uses.
  
• (D) Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems.
  
• (E) Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
  

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.

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 Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Immuno-Compromised Persons

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

Lead in Drinking Water

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. WWS is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to two 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 at 800-426-4791 or at epa.gov/safewater/lead.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Environmental Protection Agency
Safe Drinking Water Hotline
Phone: 800-426-4791
epa.gov/safewater

National Centers for Disease Control
Phone: 800-232-4636
cdc.gov

American Water Works Association
Phone: 800-926-7337
awwa.org

South Florida Water Management District
Phone: 800-662-8876
sfwmd.gov

For additional copies of this report, contact:
Water and Wastewater Operations Division
Phone: 954-831-0810
Fax: 954-831-0842