Why are only a few contaminants listed in this report?  What about other contaminants?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPS), which created the format for this report, does not require that all substances detected in the public water supply be included in this report.  That does not mean that we do not monitor for other substances.

What is the hardness of water?
Calcium and magnesium are the minerals in water that contribute to the hardness of water.  Hardness does not affect the safety of water.

Why does our water have fluoride?
Fluoride is added to the water, as required by law, to protect teeth.  According to the American Dental Association, people who drink fluoridated water have a 40% to 50% reduction in the number of cavities that would have occurred without fluoride.  Some home filtration devices remove fluoride from water and bottled water may or may not contain fluoride.

Sometimes my tap water has a yellow tint, should I be concerned?
At times our water may originate from a region of the Biscayne Aquifer that contains natural organic material caused by decaying vegetation. These natural substances increase the color of the water. Although the water may have a yellow tint, there is no harm associated with the color.

More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by contacting The following:

Safe Drinking Water Hotline
1-800-426-4791
http://www.epa.gov/safewater

HIALEAH WATER FACTS

The Department Of Water And Sewers, provides safe and aesthetically pleasing drinking water to its residents as well as many businesses and visitors. The system now includes 324 miles of water lines throughout the City.

In its effort to supply you with the safest possible product, the City of Hialeah has implemented an extensive testing program. Water quality tests are conducted on a continuous basis and include the following tests:

• Turbidity
• Conductivity
• Temperature
• Chlorine residual
• ph (Acidity - Alkalinity)
• MF (Total coliform)
• Orthophosphate
• Lead & Copper
• Calcium

KEY TO DETECTED CONTAMINATES TABLE

These tables are based on tests conducted in the year 2002 or the most recent testing done within the last five (5) calendar years.  We conduct many tests throughout the year, however only results of the required tests  are shown here.  The table below shows the meaning of abbreviations and symbols used in the tables.

Want to learn more about water?

This report is available on our web site at http://www.hialeahfl.gov/

We welcome your comments and opinions about this report and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.  Please direct your comments or questions to the Department directly at the following telephone number: (305) 556-7383 Monday – Friday 8:30AM to 5:00PM.

As a courtesy to our customers, The City of Hialeah provides water tips for homes and businesses. Take a look -- you might learn something new and save money on your next water bill.

1. Check your toilet for leaks. Put a little food coloring into your toilet tank and let it sit for 15 minutes. If the color appears in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak that should be repaired immediately. A leaky toilet can waste as much as 200 gallons of water a day.
2. Turn off the faucet. This may sound simple, but gallons of water are wasted daily while people wash dishes, clean vegetables, shave and brush their teeth.
3. Outside faucets should be turned off and drained, and all hoses should be disconnected.
4. Do full loads of laundry and dishes. (Washing dishes by hand also saves water!)
5. Check faucets for leaks. A dripping faucet can waste up to 2,000 gallons of water a year.
6. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator. Allowing the faucet to run until the water feels cool wastes water.
7. Approximately 50-70% of household water is used outdoors for watering lawns and gardens, so make the most of the water you use. Never water during the hottest times of the day or when it’s windy. Turn off your automatic sprinkler when it’s raining. By planting grasses and shrubs that use little water, you can reduce your watering by up to 50%.
8. Lawn and garden pesticides and fertilizers can pollute the water. Reduce your use of pesticides and fertilizers and look for safer alternatives to control bugs. For example use geraniums to repel Japanese beetles; garlic and mint to repel aphids; and marigolds to repel white flies!
9. What’s dumped on the ground, poured down the drain or tossed in the trash can pollute the sources of our drinking water. Take used motor oil and other automotive fluids to an automotive service center that recycles them. Also take any leftover paint, solvents and toxic household products to special collection centers that will dispose of them properly.
10. Eliminate drafts in your home and insulate hot water pipes with commercial wraps. It’s also a good idea to locate and tag your water shut-off valve so you can find it quickly in an emergency.

Do you desire more information on Hialeah’s System? Do you have questions about your drinking water? If so, you may contact the Department directly at the following telephone number: (305) 556-7383.