Simply put…YES! Conserving water is beneficial to the environment and your wallet.

Tallahassee water customers are not currently subject to any water use restrictions, but that doesn't mean you should be wasteful with your water use.

There are literally dozens of ways you can save water and money. Some of our favorite and simplest suggestions include the following:

• Don't let the water run while brushing your teeth.
• Fix leaking toilets and faucets.
• Sweep your driveways and sidewalks rather than using a hose to wash them off.
• Use spray nozzles that shut off automatically when not in use on garden hoses.
• Water your lawn in the morning (before 10 a.m.) to take advantage of cooler temperatures and morning dew.
• Avoid watering your lawn in hot or windy conditions.
• Use rain sensors on your irrigation systems to prevent watering when it rains.
• If you suspect a leak in your plumbing system, call a plumber or the City to investigate.

In Tallahassee, the average water hardness is measured at about 150 mg/L as Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) or about 9 grains/gallon, which is considered "hard." In this area of North Florida, the groundwater flows through a limestone aquifer, which is the source of calcium contributing to the hard water. Due to hard water issues, we often recommend to our customers to maintain their water heaters regularly, whether a tank or tankless type.

White flakes or a sand-like sediment in your water can also be caused by calcium deposits. This is most commonly found in hot water from the household water heater, and it tends to collect in faucet aerator screens, eventually clogging the screens and restricting the water flow from the faucet. If you are noticing flakes in your hot water or faucet screens, it may be time to service or replace your water heater. The water heater, in the process of heating the water, produces the calcium deposits that settle into the bottom of the water heater tank. If you are noticing the flakes in your water, then it is likely a sign that the water heater may be full of calcium deposits. It is a good idea to have your water heater checked for excessive calcium deposits every couple of years to maintain your water heater's capacity and efficiency.

Tallahassee's average pH level for drinking water is about 7.5. The pH level of drinking water reflects how acidic or basic (or alkaline) it is. pH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14, with 7 considered neutral, meaning there's a balance between the water's acidity and basicity. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that public water systems maintain pH levels between 6.5 - 8.5.

A milky or cloudy appearance in water is most often due to tiny air bubbles. These bubbles are often so small that they are not easily seen, but there is an easy way to be check. Fill a clear glass with water and set it on the counter for a few minutes. If you notice the cloudiness slowly disappearing or rising to the top of the glass, those are signs that the air bubbles are escaping. If you turn on your faucets and flush your pipes, you can sometimes eliminate the air from your plumbing system.

Brown or discolored water is most often caused by rusting water pipes. This is especially common when the distribution system and household plumbing are made with galvanized iron pipe. Over time, the protective zinc coating on the pipes breaks down, allowing the water to contact the metal. The result is rusty pipes that, when in contact with the water for some time, will eventually cause the water to turn a rusty brown color. This problem is most often noticed in the morning, after the water sits in the pipes while you sleep. The temporary solution is to flush the dirty water from the pipes. The only permanent solution is to replace the plumbing system with more modern plumbing components/materials, such as PVC or PEX.

The white stains are calcium deposits, also known as "hard water" stains. Because our water comes from a limestone aquifer, there is dissolved calcium in the water. As water evaporates, it leaves behind the calcium, resulting in the stains. Light stains can be removed with simple white vinegar. Heavier stains may require a stronger, more aggressive cleaner.

A blue-green water stain in the tub or shower is most often associated with the corrosion of copper pipes and plumbing fixtures, including brass (which contains copper and zinc). The corrosion can be due to the water chemistry or improper electrical grounding to the household plumbing. Like the hard water stains mentioned above, light stains can be removed with simple white vinegar. Heavier stains may require a stronger, more aggressive cleaner.

Water that smells bad is most often due to a lack of disinfectant in the water. Hot water reduces disinfectants in the water more quickly than cool water. As a result, the smell is most often associated with water from the water heater. This is especially true if the hot water is not used regularly. To remedy the problem, you should run hot water through the tub or a faucet until all the hot water is used and the water is cool. By doing this, you remove the bad smelling water from the water heater and replace it with new water that has the proper disinfectant.

Use cold tap water for drinking and food. Hot water dissolves lead and other metals more quickly and reduces the disinfectant in the water more quickly than cool water. Without disinfectant, bacterial growth can build up in hot water systems. Your exposure to these elements, which may be in your household plumbing, increases when you use hot water for drinking or in a consumable way.

What can I do about the taste of chlorine in my water?

The EPA requires water treatment facilities to maintain a range of chlorine levels. If you are sensitive to the taste or smell of chlorine, the following tips may help:

• Let water stand in a pitcher for several hours in the refrigerator or on the counter.
• Boil water for 15 minutes and store in the refrigerator.
• Use a water filter (pitcher, faucet or installed under the sink).

For more than 120 years, the quality of the drinking water provided by the City of Tallahassee has been exemplary. The City ensures your drinking water is safe, the highest in quality and meets all regulatory standards by continually monitoring our drinking water source for identified contaminants of concern as well as new contaminants identified by appropriate regulatory authorities. On June 15, 2022, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new health advisory levels to manage the risk for a group of man-made chemicals in drinking water called PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).

Below are the EPA's actions explained, as well as actions the City has previously undertaken and have currently planned.

What are PFAS compounds? Since the 1940s, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, referred to as PFAS, have been widely used in the manufacturing of carpets, clothing, fabrics for furniture, paper packaging for food, non-stick cookware, and other materials. They are also used in the formulation of fire suppressant foams and in numerous industrial processes.

Two prominent PFAS chemical compounds include:

1. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFOA has been used to make Teflon and other similar chemicals.
2. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). PFOS has been used to make stain repellents like Scotchgard™ and fire-fighting foams.

Are PFAS still being used? Over the years, many companies have chosen to voluntarily halt the production and use of certain PFAS chemicals. In fact, most uses of PFOA and PFOS were voluntarily phased out by U.S. manufacturers in the mid-2000s. Some of these chemicals, however, are still in use for limited purposes, and these chemicals remain in the environment due to their persistence and inability to degrade. 

Why are PFAS a concern? The EPA confirms that most people are exposed to these chemicals through a variety of consumer products, such as fast-food containers/wrappers, pizza boxes, personal care products, nonstick cookware, stain-resistant coatings used on carpets and upholstery, and more. Drinking water can be an additional source of exposure in communities where these chemicals have entered the water supplies. Due to their widespread use and persistence in the environment, most people all over the world have been exposed to PFAS. While research continues, scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.

What is the EPA's Health Advisory Level, and what does it mean?

The EPA's role in establishing drinking water regulations. EPA regulates and establishes maximum contaminant levels for hundreds of compounds in drinking water. EPA developed a PFAS Strategic Roadmap in October 2021 to address potential associated health risks. As is commonly the first step in EPA developing a regulation, a health advisory level was issued in June 2022. EPA is now in the process of setting maximum contaminant levels for PFAS within the scientifically rigorous framework of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). A considerable amount of research is necessary to establish these levels, and a proposal for drinking water standards is expected in early 2023. 

How health advisories work. Currently, there is no federal or state regulation for PFAS in drinking water. Health advisories, unlike regulations, are not enforceable. Instead, the advisories are interim guidance issued before EPA develops formal regulations. The health advisory level is the minimum concentration of a compound which may present health risks to an individual over a lifetime of exposure. Because there is uncertainty as to the health effects associated with long-term exposure to certain compounds, EPA generally sets conservatively low levels in its health advisories. The health advisory levels are calculated to offer a margin of protection against adverse health effects. Sometimes, the advisory is lower than current analytical methods can detect.

EPA's Health Advisory Level for PFAS. In 2016, the EPA issued a non-regulatory lifetime health advisory of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for individual and combined PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. On June 15, 2022, the EPA set new Interim Health Advisory Levels for PFOA at 0.004 ppt and 0.02 ppt for PFOS. This new advisory replaces the 2016 health advisory level.

What is the City of Tallahassee doing about PFAS? 

Testing: In 2014-2015, the City sampled municipal drinking water wells for PFAS under EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR). The UCMR program collects data for contaminants suspected to be present in drinking water but that do not have health-based standards set under the Safe Drinking Water Act. PFAS were not detectable in any of the samples collected at that time. 

In 2019, the City collected samples from all 27 public drinking water wells for several PFAS compounds. No PFAS compounds were detected in the majority of wells. The highest level detected during the sampling event at one well was 5.9 ppt for PFOS, significantly below EPA's health advisory at the time of testing of 70 ppt.

We recognize that some of the results from the 2019 monitoring event are now above EPA's current interim health advisory levels. That's why research is a priority. Our environmental, technical, and legal professionals are actively engaged in this research, specifically by:

1. Conducting additional monitoring for PFAS in our water supply
2. Researching established and emerging testing and treatment options as they are made available
3. Continuing to collaborate with other communities, industry groups, and agencies to develop practical and feasible strategies to reduce impacts of PFAS as the EPA develops and finalizes its future drinking water standards

Legal Action: In June of 2021, The City filed suit against PFAS manufacturers. The State of Florida and numerous other municipalities from across the country have also filed lawsuits. These cases are currently in active litigation regarding the impact of PFAS chemicals.

The City's Complaint alleges that the Defendants introduced PFOA and PFOS into the U.S. marketplace with full knowledge of their toxicity and propensity to contaminate groundwater. The Complaint further alleges that the Defendants failed to warn the public in general about the risks associated with PFOS and PFOA. The use and disposal of AFFF, a firefighting foam, has resulted in exceedances of FDEP's provisional cleanup target level in the soil and groundwater at the City's Fire Training Facility, formerly a part of the Dale Mabry Army Airfield in operation from 1928 to 1961. Through this Complaint, the City is proactively seeking compensation from the Defendants for reimbursement of assessment and remediation costs for the site.

Regulatory Compliance: At this time, there has been no change in the regulatory standards, but staff is following this issue very closely and looking for guidance from the EPA and other industry groups. It is important to note that the City's drinking water continues to meet or surpass all state and federal drinking water regulatory standards.

Monitoring and Information Sharing: Since before 2019, City staff has been following national level discussions about PFAS. Many water utilities, industry groups, and agencies, including our environmental and technical professionals at the City of Tallahassee, are working together to learn more about PFAS and research options that can reduce PFAS levels. City staff will continue collaborating with national and state utility industry groups regarding this matter. Resources and information will be shared here, on the City's website, and will be updated as it becomes available. Links to several of those resources are provided below.

• HB 1475: Cleanup of PFAS bill
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection investigations into potential sources and environmental impacts related to PFAS throughout Florida: https://floridadep.gov/waste/waste-cleanup/content/dep%E2%80%99s-efforts-address-pfas-environment
• Environmental Protection Agency Guidance on PFAS: https://www.epa.gov/pfas
• Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental Health PFAS Fact Sheet: https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/drinking-water/_documents/pfoa-pfos-fs-20161.pdf
• S. Food and Drug Administration: https://www.fda.gov/food/chemical-contaminants-food/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/index.html
• Consumer Products: Even though recent efforts to remove certain PFAS from commerce have reduced the likelihood of exposure, some household products and indoor air or dust may still contain PFAS. If you have questions or concerns about products you use in your home, contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC): PFAS — Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (itrcweb.org)

Continued Commitment: As we have for more than 120 years, the City of Tallahassee will continue to ensure the drinking water we provide our customers is safe, reliable, and of the highest quality.

We are always available to talk about how we produce and deliver your drinking water and the steps we take to maintain quality. If you have questions, please contact us (850) 891-1200 or (850) 891-1228.

City of Tallahassee Water Quality

The drinking water delivered to your home by the City of Tallahassee is safe, reliable and surpasses all regulatory standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Florida Department of Health (DOH).

Ponder Your Plumbing

Lead (Pb) was a commonly used pipe and plumbing material until the 1930s. After that time, molten lead (or solder) was commonly used as a pipe joint sealant until it was banned from use in 1986.

Homes and businesses built before the mid- 1980s may have plumbing components made with lead or lead-brass alloys, or pipe or fittings joined with solder that contains lead. However, the presence of lead in pipe and plumbing does not necessarily mean that lead will be present in your drinking water. When corrosion occurs in plumbing components that contain lead, it is possible for the material to enter the drinking water. This reaction is more likely in hot water and water that is considered corrosive. Fortunately, the City of Tallahassee's water is generally characterized as non-corrosive, with an average pH value of 7.0 to 7.5.

Why be concerned about lead?

Lead can cause significant health problems for humans and animals. According to health experts, lead is particularly harmful for young children and pregnant women, as it can negatively impact physical growth, critical organ development and brain development in growing children. Lead exposure can also be harmful to adults; it can cause increased blood pressure (hypertension) and negatively affect cardiovascular, kidney, and reproductive function.

What Steps Can I Take to Reduce the Risk of Lead Exposure?

If your home or business was built before 1986 or you have a concern regarding your in-home water quality, have your drinking water tested by an accredited laboratory that is certified to test for lead in drinking water. City of Tallahassee water customers can request an in-home water quality test at no cost. To schedule an in-home water quality test, please call 850-891-1200.

If lead is present, work with a licensed plumbing contractor to identify and replace household plumbing and fixtures that may be contributing to the presence of lead.

If you choose not to replace older plumbing or fixtures containing lead in your home or business, consider using a point-of-use water faucet filter or filter pitcher that is certified for lead removal. Use filtered water for drinking, brushing your teeth, food preparation and cooking until you can replace lead plumbing and fixtures. 

You can also reduce the potential for lead exposure from drinking water by taking the following precautionary steps:

• Run your faucet a bit before use. Thirty seconds to a minute is usually sufficient. This is particularly important after prolonged periods of limited or no use (i.e., after sleeping, vacations, closed business hours, etc.). Bringing fresh water into your plumbing before use will help ensure that any dissolved lead has been flushed out of the plumbing and fixtures.
• Use water only from the cold tap for drinking, brushing your teeth, food preparation and cooking, as hot water can dissolve lead more quickly than cold water.
• Clean or change your faucet aerator screens regularly. Sediment, calcium and lead deposits from your plumbing can accumulate on the screens and contribute to poor water quality and lower flow at the faucet.

Note that lead does not absorb through the skin, so showering or bathing with hot water does not pose a risk.

Want to Learn More?

To learn more about how you can protect your family from the risks associated with lead exposure, visit the following online resources:

http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/lead-poisoning/index.html

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips/water.htm

http://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-exposures-lead#testdw

https://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/listings_leadreduction.asp?ProductFunction=053%7CLead+Reduction&ProductFunction=058%7CLead+Reduction&ProductType=&submit2=Search