Water quality facts
About Your Water
Cassatt Water meets all established limits for drinking water quality. Information
about the contaminants present in your tap water, and levels of these contaminants,
is published in an Annual Drinking Water Quality Report. Click here to view or download the 2022 Annual Drinking Water Quality
Report. In addition you may request that a copy of the report be mailed
to you by calling (803) 432-8235 extension 112.
What is the quality of Cassatt Water's tap water
Drinking water from Cassatt Water meets or exceeds the standards of the federally
mandated Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Congress passed the legislation in 1974,
and amended the SDWA in 1986 and again in 1996 to expand the Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA's) role in protecting public health from contaminated drinking water.
Water Quality Reports
2022 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
2021 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
2020 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
2019 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
2018 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
2017 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
2016 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
2015 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
2014 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
2013 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
About drinking water disinfection.
Why do we need to add a disinfectant to drinking water?
The SDWA requires public water systems to disinfect their water to eliminate and
control specific disease-causing organisms and indicators that may be present in
drinking water. Depending on your specific residence, the Cassatt Water uses chloramines
or sodium hypochlorite disinfection. Chloramines are formed by mixing chlorine and
ammonia.
Are chloramines safe?
Yes. Chloramines have been used safely in the United States and Canada for many
years. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC)
accepts chloramines as an approved disinfectant.
Special considerations for Chloramines
Kidney Dialysis
In the dialysis process, water comes in contact with the blood across a permeable
membrane and must be pretreated to remove chlorine and ammonia. Medical centers
that perform dialysis are responsible for purifying the water that enters the dialysis
machines. Persons with home dialysis machines should check with their physician
or equipment supplier.
Aquariums
Chlorine and ammonia are toxic to fresh water and salt water fish since water enters
through the gill structure and goes directly in the blood stream. Both chlorine
and chloramines must be removed from aquarium water. However, chlorine dissipates
quickly so it is easier to remove. Chloramines stay in the water for up to several
weeks, so a dechloraminating agent must be added to remove it.
Here's a checklist that will assure your aquatic pets stay healthy.
- Add the proper amount of dechloraminating agent to the water in your aquarium. Your
pet supply store and the label on the product should tell you how much you need
to do the job.
- Allow sufficient time (several hours minimum) for the ammonia removal before you
add the water to your aquarium.
- Once the fresh water has been dechloraminated, it is then safe to transfer the water
to the tank.
Are salt water fish affected by chloramines, too?
Yes. If the salt water aquarium contains chloraminated water, it must be removed.
Can persons with kidney ailments, diabetes, or on low sodium diets drink chloraminated
water?
Yes. People with medical problems can use chloraminated water for all purposes.
What about people who are sensitive to chemicals?
The amount of chloramines is extremely small-no more than 2.5 parts per million
as it leaves our treatment plants. The ratio will be five parts chlorine to one
part ammonia to form monochloramine. If you are concerned that this small amount
of ammonia could cause problems for you, it would be best to check with your physician.
Do home water softeners remove chloramines?
Only if the softeners have a Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filter.
What effect does chloramines have on RUBBER?
Rubber linings of water lines may disintegrate over a period of time.
Will chloramines harm plants?
No. It is safe to water plants of any type, including ornamentals, vegetables, fruit
and nut trees.
Facts About Lead
Cassatt Water has been in compliance since the beginning of the EPA's lead and copper
testing program.
If your home is more than five years old, chances are that any lead on
the inside of the pipe has acquired a natural coating that would prevent serious
leaching. However, here are some things you can do to keep your home lead-free:
- Get into the habit of flushing your pipes if the tap has not been used for three
or more hours. To do this, let the water run for 15-30 seconds before using it for
drinking or cooking. This removes the potential for metals that may have leached
from the plumbing and brings fresh water into your home's system. You can save the
flushed water for non-consumptive purposes, such as watering plants or rinsing dishes.
- Never use hot water directly from your tap for cooking or making infant formula.
Hot water dissolves lead more quickly than cold water. Always use cold, fresh water
to heat for making hot drinks or for cooking.
- Avoid storing or serving food or beverages from ceramic pitchers or plates with
colorful, lead-based glazes.
- Don't store liquids in lead crystal as lead may leach out. Short-term use for serving
does not pose a threat, however.
- Insist on lead-free materials when plumbing is done in your home.
- Find out if your home contains lead-based paint by having paint chips analyzed by
a laboratory.
- Check every layer of paint as there may be lead-based paint under the top layers.
Do this before remodeling as sanding or scraping will dislodge the paint particles
and contaminate the air.
- Keep window sills, furniture and carpets free of paint dust and chips.
- Dust often with a moist cloth or vacuum. Cover any areas of chipping or peeling
paint with adhesive paper.
- Mop floors frequently with a wet mop and wash your children's hands often, especially
before they eat.
Compiled from the American Water Works Association's publication number 68003, "Living
Lead-Free".