The City of Nacogdoches has received results from well and lake water testing done by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). These results showed elevated levels of Trihalomethanes (THM). Since this standard quarterly test, the city has also received results that may indicate the TCEQ test was flawed.
The lake water test was done at Westward Drive and the well water test at Woden Road. These tested sites, located on Westward Drive and Woden Road, yielded results just over 250 parts per billion (ppb) of THMs, significantly exceeding the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) allowed by the EPA of 80 ppb.
THMs are the byproducts of chlorine and organic material in the water. Chlorine is essential in producing safe drinking water and the resulting THMs are always present in minute quantities. There is some scientific evidence that suggests that higher than acceptable levels of THMs may present a health risk. Pregnant women, infants, and women who may become pregnant may be at an increased risk. Drinking water with higher than acceptable levels of THMs may also cause nervous system problems and may present an increased risk of certain cancers.
“By law we are required to share test results and the risks of THMs with the public,” City Engineer, Steve Bartlett said. “However, our second set of test results lead us to believe the original tests by TCEQ were inaccurate as these levels are reasonably unachievable.”
“Immediately after TCEQ notified the City about these alleged exceedances, we had an independent laboratory collect new samples at the same locations and test for THMs. Both locations showed significantly lower levels of THM, well below the TCEQ’s test results, and the maximum allowable levels allowed by the EPA.”
THM levels based on the City’s tests, were shown to be 41 ppb at Westward Drive and 16 ppb at Woden Road. These results also mirror past tests history at these locations by TCEQ. The City of Nacogdoches has never had exceedances of THM in the past. Even more unusual was the fact that the Lake water test (Westward Drive site) and the well water test (Woden Road site) had nearly identical values. That would normally be an extremely unlikely coincidence since they are from two different water sources, and are treated at two different plants using different processes.
Due to this, the city is currently contesting the results of the TCEQ tests and requesting that they be removed from our running average for future reporting purposes. Tests by the TCEQ are routinely done every quarter.
Nevertheless, state law requires that we prepare written notices to each water customer using language prepared by TCEQ. These notices will soon appear in the next round of water bills and will document that elevated levels of THMs were identified during the State’s testing. These notices will continue to be posted each quarter until such a time as TCEQ retracts their unrealistic test results or our running average falls below the MCL.
“It is important to note that although these notices are going to all water consumers, our water supply is safe to drink and citizens do not need to filter, boil or treat their water,” City Manager, Jim Jeffers said.
City officials will continue to perform periodic testing for THMs as well as increase our line flushing frequency to continue to monitor the level of THMs in our distribution system.
