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Water
Water is a chemical compound and polar molecule,
which is liquid at standard temperature and pressure. It has the chemical formula H2O, meaning that one molecule of water
is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Water is found almost everywhere on earth and is required by all known
life. About 70% of the Earth's surface is covered by water. Water is known to exist, in ice form, on several other bodies
in the solar system and beyond, and proof that it exists (or did exist) in liquid form anywhere besides Earth would be strong
evidence of extraterrestrial life. Wasting Water
Wasting water is the abuse of water, i.e. using it unnecessarily. An example is the use of water, particularly water
purified to human safe drinking standards, in unnecessary irrigation. Also, in homes, water may be wasted if the toilet is
flushed unnecessarily or the tank leaks. Causing water to become polluted may be the biggest single abuse of water. To the
extent that a pollutant limits other uses of the water, it becomes a waste of the resource, regardless of benefits to the
polluter. Water rights and development
UNESCO's World Water Development Report (WWDR, 2003) from its World Water Assessment Program indicates that in the
next 20 years the world is facing an unprecedented lack of drinking water. The quantity of water available to everyone is
predicted to decrease by 30%. The causes are contamination, global warming and political problems. 40% of the world's
inhabitants have insufficient fresh water for minimal hygiene. More than 2.2 million people died in 2000 from illnesses related
to the consumption of contaminated water. In 2004, the UK charity WaterAid reported that a child dies every 15 seconds due
to easily preventable water-related illnesses. The report indicates large global disparities in the raw volume of available
water: from 10 m³ per person per year in Kuwait to 812.121 m³ in French Guiana. However, richer countries such as
Kuwait can more easily cope with low water availability. In the United States water law is divided between two legal
doctrines: riparian water rights, used in the eastern and southern states where there is an abundance of water and the appropriation
doctrine (or Colorado doctrine) used in the arid western states.
 Your water comes from a groundwater source that is very unique.
Underneath us is what is called the "Pensacola Sand & Gravel Aquifer"(figure 20). This aquifer
is made up generally of sand, gravel, and clay. The benefit of this aquifer is its rapid recharge and
filtering abilities. We are fortunate to have some of the cleanest water in the world. Florida leads the nation
in water quality rules and regulations to protect our valued water supply. Peoples Water Service strictly follows all
local, state and federal regulations regarding water quality monitoring and reporting. Our company provides an annual
"Consumer Confidence Report" identifying the results of all water testing performed throughout the year. If you experience a problem
with your water, please be sure to call us and let us know. Our customers play a vital roll in helping us monitor water
quality issues. Our team of licensed water treatment operators will investigate the cause of your concern and take
action to correct it promptly. How
is my water treated and purified?
Peoples Water Service Company of Florida, Inc.'s
methods and practices of treating and purifying water conform to the Department of Environmental Protection's, Chapter 62-550 Drinking Water Standards, Monitoring, and Reporting. Our treatment process consist of a series of steps. First, the raw water is drawn from our water source and
sent to the treatment facilities. Second, the water then goes to a mixing/contact area where specific chemicals are
added to meet state and federal requirements. Hydrated lime is added for pH adjustment, chlorine (gas) is added for
disinfection, and a corrosion inhibitor is added to assist in protecting the distribution system pipes. In addition,
we have incorporated two sets of granular activated carbon filters at our Well 3 and Well 5 treatment facilities to assist
in the removal of man-made contaminants. Third, after the water has completed the purification process, it is pumped
into storage facilities and/or your home or business. Protecting
our customers’ health and safety is our highest priority
We know that our customers
count on us to provide a high-quality water supply. That’s why we are committed to ensuring that our water meets all
state and federal water quality standards, which become increasingly stringent every year. We have a rigorous sampling
and testing program, managed by our certified operations staff and the water quality experts.
Like public utilities across the nation, Peoples Water Service Company's
duty is not only to provide water but also to protect the critical infrastructure. Peoples Water Service has implemented numerous
safety procedures and measures for our operations and Escambia County residents can assist in this effort. We all must be vigilant and report any suspicious scenes or behavior. Reporting such observances enhances overall
security and helps provide a safe environment. Even if something doesn’t seem that significant, it’s important
to report it.
If you see any suspicious activities occurring in or around our facilities call 455-8552
and report the following information if feasible:
date
time
location of incident
license plate number
of vehicle
# of persons involved
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