ANNISTON, AL – The Anniston Water Works and Sewer Board (AWWSB) has released its 2024 Water Quality Report, highlighting another year of exceptional drinking water quality that earned the utility the prestigious Alabama State Champion designation in The Great American Water Taste Test. The comprehensive report demonstrates that all water quality parameters continued to meet or exceed federal and state safety standards throughout 2024.
Under the leadership of General Manager/CEO Edward A. Turner and the Board of Directors chaired by Brett Rothwell, Anniston Water Works has maintained its reputation for delivering some of the highest quality drinking water in Alabama. The Alabama State Champion recognition in The Great American Water Taste Test underscores the utility’s commitment to excellence in water treatment and distribution.
“This recognition reflects our dedication to providing the best possible water to our community,” the utility emphasized in its annual report. “Our team works around the clock to ensure that every drop of water delivered to Anniston residents meets the highest standards for safety and quality.”
The 2024 report details extensive testing conducted on water from both of the utility’s primary sources: Coldwater Spring and Hillabee Reservoir. All tested contaminants remained well below Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM).
Key Findings Include:
Primary Inorganic Substances:
- Barium levels measured at 24 ppb at Coldwater Spring and 9 ppb at Hillabee Reservoir, both significantly below the 2,000 ppb limit
- Fluoride levels at 0.63 ppm and 0.49 ppm respectively, well under the 4 ppm maximum
- Nitrate levels remained minimal at 0.41 ppm and less than 0.1 ppm
Disinfection By-Products:
- Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) measured below 2.0 ppb at Coldwater Spring and 35.5 ppb at Hillabee Reservoir, both well under the 80 ppb limit
- Haloacetic Acids remained below 1.0 ppb and 19.0 ppb respectively, under the 60 ppb maximum
Microbiological Quality:
- Total coliform bacteria remained at exceptional levels, with only 0.014% of samples testing positive, far below the 5% threshold
- No samples tested positive for E. coli or fecal coliform bacteria
The report highlights the sophisticated treatment processes employed at both of AWWSB’s treatment facilities:
Paul B. Krebs Water Treatment Plant treats water from Coldwater Spring, which is so naturally pure that it operates under an EPA filtration waiver. The facility can process up to 22 million gallons per day and uses chlorine disinfection and fluoride addition for dental health protection.
Earl C. Knowlton Water Treatment Plant processes water from Hillabee Creek Reservoir using a complete treatment train including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorine disinfection, with a capacity of 6 million gallons per day.
AWWSB maintains robust source water protection through comprehensive watershed control programs. The utility has developed Source Water Assessments for both Coldwater Spring and Hillabee Reservoir, with assessments showing low susceptibility to contamination. The most recent assessment update was completed in 2021.
The utility also owns the Sam H. Hamner Reservoir located seven miles east of Anniston, which serves as an additional water source asset, though no water is currently withdrawn from this location for distribution.
The 2024 testing program was comprehensive, analyzing for hundreds of potential contaminants. The report lists an extensive array of substances that were tested but not detected, including:
- Various pesticides and herbicides
- Volatile organic compounds
- PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) – a group of emerging contaminants of concern
- Heavy metals beyond required testing
- Synthetic organic chemicals
- Radionuclides
The most recent Lead and Copper Rule testing, conducted in 2020, showed no action level exceedances. The utility provides guidance to customers on minimizing potential lead exposure from household plumbing by flushing taps for 30 seconds to 2 minutes when water has been sitting for several hours.
Throughout 2024, AWWSB maintained full compliance with all federal and state drinking water regulations. The utility’s Public Water System ID Number AL0000133 reflects its status as a regulated public water system subject to rigorous oversight by EPA and ADEM.
The report emphasizes the utility’s commitment to transparency, noting that some testing was not required in 2024 for certain substances due to previous compliance history and regulatory schedules.
AWWSB maintains strong community connections through regular board meetings held on the third Thursday of each month at 11:00 AM at the main office located at 1429 Noble Street. Citizens are encouraged to attend these meetings or contact the utility during business hours for questions or additional information.
The utility operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM and observes eleven holidays throughout the year, ensuring adequate staffing while maintaining work-life balance for employees.
As AWWSB continues into 2025, the utility remains committed to maintaining its award-winning water quality standards while adapting to evolving regulatory requirements and emerging contaminants. The comprehensive monitoring program ensures early detection of any potential issues, while ongoing infrastructure investments support reliable service delivery.
The 2024 Water Quality Report serves as both a testament to past achievements and a foundation for continued excellence in public water service. With water quality that consistently exceeds regulatory requirements and earns state-level recognition, Anniston residents can continue to trust in the safety and quality of their drinking water.
For more information about water quality, treatment processes, or to obtain copies of the complete Water Quality Report, contact Anniston Water Works and Sewer Board at 256-241-2000 or visit www.awwsb.org. The complete report is available online and provides detailed information about all testing results and water system operations.
