IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Arch Cape Water District Has Violated Drinking Water Standards for Total
Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acids MCL
Our water system has routinely violated two drinking water standards. Even though this was not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we are doing to correct the situation.
We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Testing results from August 27,2009 show that our system exceeded the standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) . The standard for total trihalomethanes is 80 parts per billion (.080). It is determined by averaging all samples collected by our system for the last 12 months. The level of total trihalomethanes averaged at our system between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009 was 0.0890.
The District also exceeded the MCL for Haloacetic Acids . The standard for HAA5 is 60 parts per billion (.060). The average level of HAA5 detected in our system between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009 was 0.1007, which exceeded the MCL of 0.060 mg/l.
What should I do?
You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. If
a situation arises where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will
be notified within 24 hours.
People with severely compromised immune systems, people with an infant, and some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been an emergency, you would have been notified within 24 hours.
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 system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
What is being done?
The Arch Cape Water District will eliminate the problem it has had with disinfection byproducts (TTHM and HAA5 levels) by upgrading its water treatment plant. A new membrane treatment package plant will allow the district to be in compliance with state and federal drinking water regulations. Preliminary planning has been completed and funding has been secured for the project. A construction contract is to be in place by February 16, 2010. Terms of the ARRA funding require that the project be complete by February 15, 2011.
We anticipate resolving any recurrences of this problem by February 16, 2011
For more information, please contact Thomas Merrell at (503) 436-2790 or 32065 East Shingle Mill Ln Arch Cape, OR 97102
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by Arch Cape Water District. State Water System ID#: 4100802.
Date distributed: 10/14/2009.