Consumer Confidence Reports mailed to BCPSA Customers

Consumer Confidence Reports mailed to BCPSA Customers

February 7, 2003

7/2/2003

​The Bedford County Public Service Authority (BCPSA) recently mailed the 2002 Annual Drinking Water Quality Reports to all county public systems. The report is designed to keep the consumer informed about the quality of water in the BCPSA system, as well as efforts made to protect the water supply.

Public water must meet guidelines set forth by state and federal agencies, administered by the Virginia Department of Health. The BCPSA water system is routinely tested for compliance with those guidelines.

Recently, customers of the BCPSA have reported receiving packages attached to the exterior of mailboxes or inserted into paper boxes containing an empty plastic bottle with a letter requesting that the homeowner fill the bottle with a sample of their water, complete the enclosed questionnaire and place them back in area which they found the package. The BCPSA is in no way affiliated with this operation.

The questionnaire typically includes an area in which residents complete their personal contact information. Private drinking water companies using this method gather information for marketing purposes by consent of the homeowner when they complete the survey.
In the past, customers have reported that representatives of these companies have claimed that their drinking water from the BCPSA system is “not pure”. As source water is derived from rivers, lakes, ground table water, springs or reservoirs, it is funneled through a filtration system, and treated as necessary to kill any bacterial that would cause it to be harmful for human consumption. The claim that the water is “not pure” may be technically correct, but it does not indicate that the water is not safe for human consumption.

Customers of the BCPSA with concerns over the safety of their drinking water are encouraged to read their 2002 annual Drinking Water Quality Report. If a customer has not received their copy of the report, they may request one be mailed by calling 540-586-7679, extension 103. Additional information is also available through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

Click here to download the press release.