Water Quality 1,4 Dioxane

August 2024 update: As part of the City of Sanford’s continuing efforts to supply safe and high-quality water to Sanford’s citizens and customers, the City contracted with Carollo Engineers in January of 2024 to develop a water facilities plan as the next step toward the City receiving funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for water treatment system upgrades. The FDEP had committed to provide Sanford with adequate funding to address the 1,4 dioxane contamination issue and reserved funding for the City. One of the requirements for final approval of the funding is the water facilities plan which was funded by the FDEP. The plan was provided to the FDEP in June. The FDEP returned comments on the water facilities plan on August 14, asking for clarifications. This was the same day the FDEP had its quarterly meeting to review state wide water resources funding. Since Sanford’s submitted plan had not been fully approved, Sanford remained on the waiting list for the previously committed funding. The FDEP has assured the City that funding is still available to the City in this and future years. City staff and Carollo Engineers will respond to the request for additional information and continue to provide the FDEP with all needed information. The Mayor and City Manager will meet with FDEP staff in September to further review the provision of safe water to City residents and customers, the continuing threat of 1,4 dioxane contamination in Sanford and Seminole County, and FDEP’s plan for funding the necessary improvements in Sanford. Art Woodruff Mayor, City of Sanford 300 N. Park Avenue Sanford, Florida 32771-1244 O: 407-688-5008 C: 407-687-3423 What is the current situation regarding the City’s water quality? The City is aware of the presence of contaminants (1,4-dioxane) that were likely discharged from a decommissioned industrial site (former Siemens site) in Lake Mary. The current level of contamination is low, and we are actively working to protect our water supply. What is 1,4-dioxane? 1,4-dioxane is a synthetic industrial chemical used as a solvent stabilizer and is found at many sites contaminated with certain chlorinated solvents. 1,4-dioxane dissolves easily in water and has been found in groundwater throughout the United States. Its use at this facility has been discontinued. 1,4-dioxane was used and discharged at the former Siemens site in Lake Mary. What is the City doing to ensure that drinking water remains safe? The City regularly tests our water and adheres to strict state and federal regulations, including the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. We have taken steps to diversify water sources to ensure that trace contaminant levels remain below safe water standards. Is our water safe to drink?     Yes. The City’s water is in full compliance with all federal and state drinking water regulations, and is safe to drink. In 2017, the Florida Department of Health concluded that as long as levels of 1,4-dioxane levels in our water remain below 0.35 parts per billion (micrograms per liter), it is not likely to cause illness and continues to meet the FDOH’s health advisory level. What are the current levels of 1,4-dioxane? On June 2024, water quality samples for 1,4 dioxane were taken at the water treatment plants (WTPs) point of entry (POE) into the water distribution system (i.e., when the water exits the water treatment plant). Results showed that the levels of 1,4-dioxane in the City’s drinking water were 0.18 parts per billion (or micrograms per liter) at Water Plant No. 1 POE and < 0.12 parts per billion (or micrograms per liter) and Water Plant No. 2 POE. The City’s 1,4-dioxane levels at the POE are much lower than the threshold set by the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) of 0.35 parts per billion (or micrograms per liter). What are regulators doing? The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has the power and duty to regulate all discharges of pollutants, including discharges of 1,4- dioxane into the Floridan aquifer (a major source of water supply in the state of Florida) and to impose strict liability on those who make such discharges. We continue to work closely with local, state, and federal partners to address these challenges. What is the City doing to continue to safeguard our water supply? As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, the City of Sanford has applied for and been designated to receive $60 million in federal funds to build a new water treatment facility. The City is also seeking additional funds from related sources. This new facility will supplement our existing treatment capabilities and aid in our ability to monitor and manage contaminants that can potentially enter the water supply, including PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, and other pollutants. What is being done to hold accountable those responsible for the contamination? This contamination is indisputably due to the negligence of others, and the City has spent considerable resources to ensure that our drinking water remains within acceptable levels. Since 2013, City leaders have been at the forefront of working to hold those at fault accountable – and to ensure that they cover the cost of mitigation and cleanup efforts. We will continue to work with state and federal partners to make sure those liable are held responsible to the fullest extent of the law.