TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The City of Tallahassee is releasing its 2013 Water Quality Annual Report. The verdict? Tallahassee's drinking water is cleaner than the state and national government requires.
The quality and safety standards for drinking water are set by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Water is not allowed to have too many contaminants, like lead or cyanide, or by-products from the disinfection process, like chlorine. In the report, the amount of these substances found in Tallahassee's water was equal to or lower than the amount allowed by the government.
City officials say that they can attribute this to a wide variety of factors, from the source of the water, to the work of the utilities staff.
“We’re fortunate to be able to access the Floridan Aquifer, one of the largest and most pristine sources of water in the world, for good, clean drinking water,” said City Commissioner Nancy Miller, lead commissioner on the City’s Long Range Planning Target Issue Committee. “It is important that as a community, we continue to protect this vital underground resource and maintain the quality and beauty of our lakes, streams and springs.”
To maintain drinking water quality, the City operates a nationally-recognized certified laboratory. Officials say this lab performs water quality analyses with much greater frequency and stricter limits than required by governmental regulations.
“We take great pride in delivering the highest quality drinking water that exceeds all professional standards,” said Underground Utilities General Manager Mike Tadros. “Keeping our water clean and protecting it for the future is more than just a job – it’s our passion.”
"We at Underground Utilities work around the clock to provide top quality water to every tap,” Tadros added. “We ask that our customers – the heart of our community – help protect our water resources as well.”
All City of Tallahassee water customers should receive a copy of the report, either by email this week or via U.S. mail by the end of June. A PDF of this document is attached. It may also be accessed via Talgov.com/YOU or obtained by calling Your Own Utilities at 891-4YOU (4968).
