Water Quality Notice

Dear Valued Customer,

Recently there have been some water quality complaints from a number of customers of the Norfolk Water Department. The complaints are isolated to two neighborhoods and are aesthetic and in no way considered a health issue. This department takes water quality very seriously and would like to inform you of its plan to remedy the situation.

Iron and Manganese has collected in the bottom of the distribution water mains throughout the system. Iron is an abundant and widespread constituent of many rocks and soils. Manganese resembles Iron but is much less abundant in rock. Both Iron and Manganese are present in the water the department pumps into the system but not in concentrations visible to the eye. Over time these two elements have settled out of solution to the bottom of the water mains in the system. The water department is creating a hydrant-flushing program to clean out the water mains.

Hydrant flushing programs are instituted to clean the water system and ensure all hydrants are functioning properly. A plan will be created to channel high volumes of water systematically through the system and out each hydrant. The rapid flow in the mains will remove the majority of the settled debris.

Flushing programs use a large volume of water. The system demand (water used by customers) this time of year is too great to institute a flushing of mains. It is the department's intention to begin flushing the system as soon as consumption reduces in the fall.

The Water Department is sympathetic to the inconvenience some customers are currently burdened with. Every effort will be made to reduce exposure

of "dirty water" to all customers over the summer months. The Department appreciates the patience of those affected and assures all residences prompt resolve.

6/2/2003

###