Item 8LAGENDA ITEM # 8L
DECEMBER 14, 2009
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: New Ground Water Rule
SUBMITTED BY: Donna Kaluzniak, Utility Director
DATE: December 1, 2009
BACKGROUND: The Ground Water Rule (GWR) is a new regulation from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). The rule's purpose is to protect public health. However, staff believes the rule may have unintended
consequences of creating unfounded concerns for the public.
Currently all utilities, including the City of Atlantic Beach, collect monthly bacteriological samples throughout the
water distribution system. Tests are run to ensure proper disinfection takes place in the water mains. This
bacteriological testing is required by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
There is an approximate 5% false positive rate for some of the bacteriological tests. Should a sample test positive,
DEP requires the utilities to re-sample at the positive location, plus upstream and downstream. If the resamples are
negative, the original failed sample is assumed to be a false positive or due to a sampling or testing problem.
Under the GWR, if a distribution sample tests positive, utilities must test their source water-in the City's case, all 8
wells-for bacteria within 24 hours.
Any positive well sample requires the utility to issue a Public Notice within 24 hours, stating that bacteria were
found in the well water.
Although the rule requires five additional resamples for each positive well test, the Public Notice must be issued
before any confirmation that a problem truly exists. Also, water from the wells must go through the treatment
process, so even if a well was positive (highly unlikely for Floridan Aquifer wells), that water would be treated and
disinfected before entering the distribution system.
In addition, any positive test on a well requires the City to add health effects language to the Annual Water Quality
Report, even if the five additional samples are clear. The required language states that these bacteria can cause
gastrointestinal illness, headaches and other symptoms.
The Ground Water Rule is a federal regulation that must be followed. Staff is concerned that requiring Public Notice
with no confirmation of positive results may create unnecessary anxiety among citizens. Staff wishes to inform the
Commission of the rule requirements in case any Public Notices must be sent, or health effects language added to the
City's Water Quality Report to comply with the rule.
BUDGET: No budget impact.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff report is for Commission's information only.
ATTACHMENTS: I .
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