NICE, Calif. – The Nice Mutual Water Co. has issued a public notification regarding high levels of a chemical compound that was revealed in the district's drinking water during routine testing.
The testing revealed that total trihalomethanes, or TTHMs, came in above the state drinking water standard in the year's first quarter, according to district General Manager David Fultz.
The district draws its water from Clear Lake, he said. Trihalomethanes are a byproduct of chlorinating the drinking water.
Fultz said the district tests for trihalomethanes – a suspected carcinogen – quarterly.
Samples between April 2015 and March 2015 showed that the drinking water the district provides had an average TTHMs of 84.73 micrograms per liter.
The maximum level allowed – also known as the maximum contaminant level – is 80 micrograms per liter, according to the district's notice to its customers.
Fultz said the substance found to have exceeded the standard was chloroform.
He said the state requires that when the standards are exceeded, notices be issued.
There isn't an emergency, and district water users don't need to do anything like boil water, he said.
“This is the first time that we’ve had high results in the wintertime,” said Fultz. “They’re always low.”
As for what may have caused the high levels, Fultz said it's hard to know why. “We could sit here and guess all day long.”
The district already is taking action. Week before last, they installed fresh carbon at the water treatment plant. Fultz said the new carbon will help reduce the organics in the water, which along with chlorine produces trihalomethanes.
They're also preparing to install aeration pumps and blowers in the Yuba tanks, he said. The Yuba tanks have the longest turnover time, which can cause trihalomethanes to form.
Fultz said trihalomethanes are very volatile, and come out of the water when it's aerated.
The notice to water users was issued on April 16.
It states that within 10 days the following entities must also issue reports:
– Schools: Must notify employees, students and parents (if the students are minors);
– Residential property owners and managers, including nursing homes and care facilities: Must notify tenants and employees;
– Business property owners, managers or operators: Must notify employees and customers of businesses located on the property.
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Nice Mutual Water Co. issues notice on trihalomethanes
- Elizabeth Larson
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