The City of Rockport is required, under TCEQ rule, to notify customers when EPA Maximum Contaminant Level(s) are exceeded. The City reported in a press release Monday, April 4 City water exceeded the quarterly average by .002 parts per million. However, the current Maximum Contaminant Level is below the exceedance and the City’s water supply is safe to drink.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has notified the City of Rockport TX0040002 public water system that the drinking water being supplied to customers has exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has established the MCL for total trihalomethanes to be 0.080 milligrams per liter (mg/L) based on a locational running annual average (LRAA) and has determined that it is a health concern at levels above the MCL. Analysis of drinking water for total trihalomethanes indicates a compliance value in quarter one 2022 of 0.082 mg/L for DBP2-02. While the levels still exceed the maximum allowed, the laboratory testing indicates the levels are indeed dropping.
Trihalomethanes are a group of volatile organic compounds that are formed when chlorine, added to the water during the treatment process for disinfection, reacts with naturallyoccurring organic matter in the water.
In the case of the City’s water distribution system, the City does not treat the water customers receive. The San Patricio Municipal Water District (SPMWD) treats the City’s water prior to delivery. As such the City has no control over the water treatment process.
Once received, the City distributes the water to its customers. There is, however, the possibility that even though the City does not treat or add chemicals, a small amount of TTHM formation can take place within the water distribution system.
Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Rockport water customers do not need to use an alternative water supply. However, if you have health concerns, you may want to talk to your doctor to get more information about how this may affect you.
The city is taking the following actions to address this issue:
• Has contacted and stays in contact with the SPMWD regarding this very important issue
• The SPMWD is working to determine the source of the trihalomethanes, and take corrective actions.
• Some of the potential corrective actions being considered include the use of alternative disinfectants.
• Has increased water system flushing and will continue until the problems with water treatment and storage is corrected.
• Further evaluating operational changes to the storage tanks and water distribution system to minimize water residence time and thus minimize potential for TTHM development.
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Originally Appeared Here