Here’s what’s important to know-
Sanford's drinking water is safe to drink, based on state and federal guidelines.
The safety and security of our customers is our top priority, and the City of Sanford (City) is committed to providing safe drinking water to our customers. Recent media coverage has highlighted an ongoing issue regarding a contaminant in water samples – the same issue we have previously informed the public about. We remain committed to transparency – keeping our public fully informed.
We understand that residents may have concerns. Here are answers to common questions you may have.
October 21, 2024, update on 1,4 Dioxane
The City of Sanford has taken the next step to insure the future safety of our drinking water by filing suit against General Dynamics Corporation, Siemens, Corporation, and Moni Holdings LLC as the potentially responsible parties for the 1,4 dioxane contamination of the City’s water supply. The citizens and customers of Sanford’s utility system are entitled to pure drinking water, and this is made clear in the City’s complaint. The City has consistently said that we should hold those responsible for the contamination accountable for the costs of cleanup and treatment and this action attempts to do that.
On August 26, 2024, the City Commission authorized litigation against the three parties and engaged DSK Law with former State Senator David Simmons as the lead attorney. Timing of the litigation was determined in part by the most recent data collected by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection which supports the City’s position that the parties’ former industrial facility on Rinehart Road is the source of the contamination.
On October 14, 2024, Sen. Simmons updated the City Commission on the eight-count complaint that DSK Law had prepared. Seven counts of the complaint were filed in the 18th Judicial Circuit Court in Seminole County on October 17. The City continues to work closely with the FDEP and the eighth count of the complaint requires notice to the FDEP. FDEP will have the option to take over litigation of the eighth count, join the City in the litigation, or allow the City to continue on its own.
The lawsuit seeks cleanup of the ground water, funding for treatment to remove contamination from drinking water, funding for future operations of the enhanced treatment system, and reimbursement for legal and other expenses related to the contamination. As the City works through the litigation, it also continues to work with FDEP for Federal funding of the improvements needed to remove the contamination. If there is a recovery from the lawsuit, a portion could repay any grants received through FDEP.
September 26, 2024, update on 1,4 Dioxane
As part of the City of Sanford’s continuing effort 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 and a preliminary design report (30 % design) 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 approval of the preliminary design report that is scheduled to be submitted to FDEP at the end of October.
Last Week the Mayor and City Manager along with utilities staff members, the finance director, and our attorneys met virtually with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to get clarity on the next steps to secure funding. They offered the funding over a year ago, but we still have to meet state and federal requirements. We received clear guidance on what we need to do and, based on work our staff has already been doing on planning and design, we should have the next $18 million in funding fully committed by the end of the year. They have already funded $6 million, and the federal government is expected to release $25 million in FY 25 -26 funding by the end of August of next year. If our proposed litigation with those responsible for the contamination is successful, all of this money could be paid back to be used in other projects elsewhere in the state.
What is the current situation regarding the City’s water quality?
The City continues to monitor 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. The City 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.
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.
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. For perspective, 0.35 ppb is equivalent to the width of a human hair compared to 320 miles.
What are the current levels of 1,4-dioxane?
On October 2024, water quality samples 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 the level of 1,4-dioxane in the City’s drinking water were 0.22 parts per billion (or micrograms per liter) at Water Plant No. 1 POE and <0.12 parts per billion (or micrograms per liter) at Water Plant No. 2 POE. The City’s 1,4 dioxane level at the POE is below 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. The FDEP has added monitoring wells and recent analysis supports Sanford’s conclusion that the contamination comes from the Rinehart Road site. 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 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to receive up to $54 million in federal funds to build a new water treatment facility. 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. In October 2024 the City filed a lawsuit against General Dynamics Corporation, Siemens Corporation, and Moni Holdings LLC who are believed to be responsible for the contamination.
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 has been discontinued. 1,4-Dioxane was used and discharged at the former Siemens site in Lake Mary.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) periodically requires all water providers to sample a new list of contaminants that historically have not been regulated. The results of these tests are used by the EPA to consider regulations for the future. Like many utility providers in the area, the City of Sanford detected 1,4-dioxane in our groundwater when the EPA first directed utilities to sample for 1,4-dioxane. You may have seen the results of this Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule testing, including 1,4-dioxane, in the City’s annual water quality report in 2016. While 1,4-dioxane remains unregulated, the Florida Department of Health established a health advisory limit maximum of 0.35 ug/L (micrograms per liter). To help visualize one ug/L, an equivalent measurement is 1 part per billion, similar to one drop of ink in a large tanker truck, or 1 second in 32 years.
Since becoming aware of the health advisory limit for 1,4-dioxane in 2016, the City has added this chemical to the scheduled sampling for our wells and treated drinking water. We also immediately reduced the use of groundwater wells that are most affected by this chemical. With these actions, we have maintained drinking water quality from 2016 to today with levels of 1,4-dioxane below the health advisory limit, averaging less than 0.20 ug/L (micrograms per liter). In 2016 the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) advised the City of Sanford that it would find the source of the contamination. The City has been working with FDEP since then to determine the source. The City is encouraging the FDEP to expand its efforts and identify the source and responsible party to safeguard our water supply and minimize the impact to the City’s ratepayers.
Understandably this is the most common and important question asked of any water supplier, and the answer is YES! The City of Sanford has great water quality through the efforts of our water plant operators and engineers who sample the water regularly for all manner of natural and man-made components. While no drinking water (bottled or tap) is 100% pure, City of Sanford customers receive an annual water quality report that shows all regulated contaminants have been tested and are below drinking water standards set by the EPA and FDEP.
