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The system in brief	Quality and quantity
Pressure and restrictions	Maintenance and future
Problems and Solutions	Statement on Lead
Link to Aqua NC

Disclaimer

The Stoneridge/Sedgefield Property Owners' Association is not responsible in any way for damages resulting from the use of the guidelines and advice.

The water system of Stoneridge and Sedgefield is supplied from three wells, with a fourth to come into use if needed. Some homes have private well systems; most are linked into the community system. The system is privately owned by Aqua NC and water is currently provided to those on the community system at state approved rates. Our system is in good shape and our water quality and quantity are good.

Aqua NC maintains water quality according to prescribed state standards. In addition, the Property Owners' Association periodically does in-depth random samplings of water quality independently. Samples by the Property Owners' Association are taken from taps in selected homes. To date, our water has always been well within quality standards acceptable to the state.

Water Quantity

The community wells are generally deeper than private wells. In the past, there has always been adequate quantity. Being wells, however, prolonged dry spells are usually reflected in a lowering of the water table (the depth at which the wells draw water) two to six months after the dry spell. When surrounding communities issue limitation on water use, the Property Owners' Association does likewise as prudent action to avoid a problem.

The pressure driving the system is developed by a complex relationship between water depth, pump flow rates and demand. In the past, pressure problems have occurred in the late summer when a large number of properties tax the system beyond its ability to maintain high pressure by excessive outdoor watering.

Water Use Restrictions

When pressure is a problem, such as in the summer, or when we experience area-wide drought and surrounding communities restrict water use, a phased series of water use restriction may be required. Residents are notified when such restriction are necessary. We have never experienced a problem on our own.

Periodic maintenance of the water system requires that the system be back-flushed and cleaned. Residents are notified by mail of the periods of time that water cannot be used. These periods are usually for three days during the daytime hours as the only practical time for such maintenance to take place. Do not use water during times of maintenance as it may damage your appliances and be potentially harmful to you.

All problems with the water system should be referred to Aqua NC in Cary at 1-800-537-4865 (also 919-467-7854). They employ an answering service after normal working hours and that service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Aqua NC should be contacted immediately after a power loss since our place in line for service is determined by this first contact with them.

Pressure problems may be caused by damaged or leaking lines on the individual homeowner properties. Aqua NC has no authority or responsibility concerning the individual water lines once they leave the meter box toward the house.

Power outages arising from hurricane and ice storm damage to overhead wires have occurred in the past. Our water system cannot operate without power. Meetings with Heater Utilities (HU) in February 2004 were held to discuss the possibility of backup power for our neighborhood pumps. It was learned that backup power is very expensive and even if our neighborhood had backup power, Aqua NC could not guarantee that their staff could activate and fuel the generator under the circumstances of an area wide emergency condition. For these reasons, none of Aquaâs hundreds of water pump operations have backup power.

Discoloration of Water and Water-Using Devices
Periodically residents may observe discoloration in the water or staining of water using devices such as dishwashers.

1. Milky water appearance is due to excessive air in the piping and can be caused by excessive pumping due to high demand or by mechanical failure. This condition will not harm the plumbing or affect the potability of the water. The ãmilkyä look is actually air bubbles in the water.

2. Reddish-Brown discoloration in dishwashers and other plumbing fixtures may occur, particularly in homes without water softeners or treatment systems. Iron-rust creates a reddish surface and brown-black can be attributed to manganese. Both are results of corrosion in the pipes and naturally occurring minerals in the rock strata from which the water is pumped. Currently, both iron and manganese readings are well below the established minimum in recent water sample tests. However, amounts do exist, as well as some residual that still remains in the system after the manganese filter was installed at Burnwood Court.

3. Discoloration of plumbing fixtures can be addressed with commercial products. These include citric acid, which can be found at drug stores, and a product called Iron-Out, available in hardware stores. Commercially available water softeners and treatment systems have been effective with ion exchange method of removing the offending items. Many homes have such systems.

Suspended particulate matter

Particulate matter can occasionally be seen in the water. This may be due to:

1. Filter failure

2. Corrosion build-up in pipelines

3. Disturbance of service following pipe break and repair.

Any significant evidence of this problem should be reported to Aqua NC, and it will receive appropriate attention. If the condition persists at any individual house, it is recommended that a garden hose can be connected to an exterior faucet and the system be flushed for a reasonable period of time.

Odor

Odor is commonly reported as rotten eggs or beach water smells are sometimes reported from running water. Naturally occurring harmless microorganisms exist in this type of supply from underground rock strata. These organisms transform sulfur-containing matter into hydrogen sulfide. The condition is more active in hot water and thrives in hot-water heaters. It has also been more pronounced in new homes due to an initial period of unglazed copper pipes. Elimination should occur naturally with time or with periodic hot-water heater flushing.

Hardness

Hardness has run about 194 mg/L and generally requires the installation of one of several water-softener units that are commercially available.

Hot Water Heater Maintenance

For the most efficient operations, you should drain your hot water heater twice a year.

Washing Machine

Your washing machine will take a long time to fill if any of the filters are dirty. It is recommended that you clean all filters about once a quarter. Most lines that run from the faucet to the back of the machine have one filter in them. It is recommended that you have a filter at each end of the line. The water inlet/mixing valves in the machine to which the lines are connected also have a very fine filter, which catches a lot of sediment. It is recommended that you use a syringe to flush out the sediment before you reconnect your water lines to the machine.

Following is a statement issued by Security Building and the Stoneridge Water System concerning lead in water according to governmental directives issued as part of the Amendments to Safe Drinking Water Act of June 1986. The law requires that the owner or operation of each community water system shall issue notice to persons served by the system that that may be affected by lead contaminating of their drinking water.

Lead

Our particular water system (Stoneridge/Sedgefield) has no lead contamination within our well or distribution system. However, all of the homes in the system have upper piping that is connected by lead-base3d solder. The Stoneridge/Sedgefield water analysis on May 5, 1987 showed an in organic lead level of .03/MG/L, which is well below the established levels. However, these levels may be higher within your home due to the lead-based solder used within your homeâs plumbing system.

Notice to Water System Customers

The United States Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1986. One requirement of this Act is that all people using public water systems should be notified of the potential for exposure to lead through the water distribution system and the plumbing in individual homes. All public water systems are required to make this notification even if there is no evidence of lead contamination and the drinking water complies with the Standards established by the EPA.

The State of North Carolina and the North Carolina Section of the American Water Works Association have developed this notice, which may be used by public water suppliers in order to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act. All public water suppliers who do not exceed the EPA established Maximum Contaminant Levels for lead might use this notice to inform their customers of the potential for lead contamination.

Where Lead Comes From

Lead accumulates in the body from three potential sources. The major source is food, followed by air and then drinking water. Lead has been a common component of the materials used in the construction of water distribution systems and household plumbing throughout the centuries. While water supply systems do not still use lead joints and service, some older parts of existing systems may contain lead.

Lead is also commonly found in the soldered joints and the plumbing fixtures of older as well as modern homes and building. All water, even that which has been treated to reduce corrosiveness, can cause traces of lead to dissolve in the drinking water.

Health Effects of Lead

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets drinking water standards and has determined that lead is a health concern at certain levels of exposure. There is currently a standard of 0.050 parts per million (ppm). Based on new health information, EPA is likely to lower this standard significantly.

Part of the purpose of this notice is to inform you of the potential adverse health effects of lead. This is being done even though your water may not be in violation of the current standard.

EPA and others are concerned about lead in drinking water. Too much lead in the human body can cause serious damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells. The greatest risk, even with short-term exposure, is to young children and pregnant women.

Lead levels in your drinking water are likely to be highest if your home has:

1. A water system made of lead pipes, or

2. Copper pipes with lead solder, and

3. An age over 5 years, or

4. Soft or acidic water, or

5. Water that sits in the pipes for several hours at a time.

What you can do about lead

The American Water Works Association recommends that the cold water tap run for a sufficient amount of time to clear standing water from the line prior to using it for consumption (approximately two to three minutes). This should be done in the morning or after the system has not been used for several hours.

Since hot water dissolves lead more quickly than cold water, use water from the cold water tap for drinking and cooking purposes, and especially for making baby formula.

When making any repairs or additions to drinking water lines, always insist that lead-free solder be used.

What is Your Water System Doing About Lead?

All public water supplies in the United States are monitored for lead and other potential contaminants to insure that Maximum Contaminant Levels established by the EPA are not exceeded. In addition, most water suppliers treat the water prior to distribution to reduce corrosiveness, which might cause lead to dissolve. The North Carolina building code also now requires that lead-free solder be used in drinking water plumbing.

The Department of Human Resources and the public water systems in North Carolina are committed to providing the safest available water to the people of this State.

If you desire further information on your water supply, please contact your water system representative.

Aqua NC

1-877-WTR-AQUA or 1-877-987-2782

or

The United States EPA

1-800-426-4791

or order Lead and your Drinking Water

from the U.S. EPA, Washington, D.C., 20460.

Link to Aqua NC

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