Important Information About Your Drinking Water

Disinfection Byproduct Levels Above Drinking Water Standards

Point Roberts Water District No. 4 Water System (ID95750) – Whatcom County

 

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard.  Although this situation does not require that you should take immediate action, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct the situation.

 

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants.  Testing results we received on January 10th, 2006, May 12th, 2006, July 17th, 2006 and November 2nd, 2006 show that our system exceeds the standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), for total trihalomethane and for haloacetic acids. The standard for total trihalomethane is 80 ppb.  The average level of total trihalomethane over the last year was 90.2 ppb.  The standard for haloacetic acids is .60 ppb.  The average level of haloacetic acids over the last year is .63 ppb.

 

You do not need to use an alternate (e.g. bottled) water supply.  However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.

 

This is not an immediate risk.  If it had been, you would have been notified immediately.

 

Total trihalomethanes – Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

 

Chlorination has been the main means for disinfecting municipal drinking water in several countries for many decades.  The added chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter, to form a wide range of unwanted halogenated organic compounds, often referred to as disinfection by-products (DBPs).  Amongst the most widely occurring by-products are trihalomethanes (THMs).  Besides organic matter and chlorine dose, factors affecting the composition and concentration of DBPs include residence time in the distribution system, temperature, pH, and bromide levels.

 

  The District has installed a diffuser system in the 1 million gallon reservoir to ensure good mixing of the water and avoid in tank dead spots.  Additionally:  The Seymour – Capilano Water Filtration Plant will be completed in 2008.  The plant will include the world’s largest UV disinfection works.  Filtration improves drinking water quality by removing micro-organisms, organics, silts and clays caused by heavy rainfall, and reduces the amount of chlorine required to maintain water quality.  The water will also be treated to reduce corrosion in pipes and the staining of plumbing fixtures.

 

 We anticipate resolving the problem within the year 2008.

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For more information, please contact the Point Roberts Water District No. 4 office at 945-4696 or 79 Tyee Drive, Suite A, Point Roberts, WA, 98281.