Download the Water Resources Research Center's first quarter status report.
Columbia Water & Light is owned and operated by the citizens of Columbia. The water utility makes every effort to provide quality water. For more than three decades Columbia’s water met or exceeded all standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Columbia’s water is tested more frequently and more thoroughly than is required by law. More than 4,000 tests are run each year on samples from 39 locations throughout Columbia. Through this testing the utility staff became aware of elevated levels of Total Trihalomethanes and is working to insure that Columbia’s water continues to be a high quality resource for our community.
In 2007, Columbia’s water exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) and received a Notice of Violation from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in April 2008.The average reported concentration for 2007 was 82.3 micrograms per liter. The Maximum Contaminant Level for total Trihalomethanes is 80 micrograms per liter. In 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency lowered the Maximum Contaminant Level from 100 micrograms per liter to 80 micrograms per liter.
Trihalomethanes are a by-product of the disinfection process. They are formed when chlorine breaks down organic material in the water. Chlorine is added to the water to kill bacteria, viruses, and other organisms that could cause serious waterborne illnesses and death.
The August 2008 compliance sample showed that the level of Trihalomethanes has dropped substantially from previous samples. The level of Total Trihalomethanes was 38.6 micrograms per liter which brought the running annual average to 76.8 micrograms per liter. This is below the maximum contaminant level set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The formation of Trihalomethanes is a complex chemical reaction. There must be more research to determine the situation with Columbia’s water. The University of Missouri’s Water Resources Research Center has been consulted and they will begin weekly testing at the Prathersville compliance sample sight. Due to previous samples of the water showing elevated levels of Total Trihalomethanes, the city must continue to look for ways to keep the levels well below the maximum contaminant level on a permanent basis.
There is not an immediate danger in consuming Columbia’s water. Trihalomethanes present problems over a long period of time. Long-term exposure to levels of Trihalomethanes that exceed the Maximum Contaminant Level is a health concern. Consuming two liters of water per day for over 70 years could result in three to four cancers per 10,000 people, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. They also report that there is no conclusive evidence that Trihalomethanes are a health problem for pregnant women and the child they are carrying. Some research has been done but the studies did not take into account other health risks. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, people drinking water exceeding the standards for Trihalomethanes over a long period of time might also experience problems with their liver, kidneys or central nervous system.
The city has entered into an agreement with the University of Missouri’s Water Resources Research Center to identify and make recommendations on lowering the level of Trihalomethanes in our water supply. As the research data is made available, Columbia Water & Light will be proposing possible solutions to lower the level of Trihalomethanes. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Columbia City Council will have to approve any changes to the treatment process to lower the level of Trihalomethanes.
Trihalomethanes form over time when organic compounds react with chlorine. When the elevated levels of Trihalomethanes were found, the amount of chlorine was lowered slightly. Since Trihalomethanes are formed over a period of time, Columbia Water & Light’s engineering staff has suggested distribution system improvements that will increase the flow of water through the system. This could reduce higher levels of Trihalomethanes in the distant reaches of the water system. Funding for these distribution projects is being requested through a voter approved bond issue in November.
Any changes to the water treatment process must be weighed carefully. Each different treatment option has benefits and drawbacks. To fully study the options available, Columbia Water and Light will be sending out a request for proposals to engineering firms. Staff is also looking into adding ammonia to the water at the pumping stations in town to form chloramines. This would slow down the formation of Trihalomethanes but could also change the taste and smell of the water. By researching treatment options while the Trihalomethane research continues, Columbia Water & Light can move forward with suggested changes to the system and formulate strategies more quickly.
As suggested and approved by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the University of Missouri’s Water Resources Research Center has started collecting data to pinpoint problem areas. (Download the first quarter status report) The report shows that there is a formation potential for Trihalomethanes in the wells but there is little variation between the wells. The preliminary results also show that the treatment process is not reducing the formation potential. The Water Resources Research Center will continue to collect and analyze data through the spring of 2009 at the wells, the treatment plant and throughout the distribution system.
According to some of our resources, water customers can use activated carbon filters in a granulated form to remove Trihalomethanes. Columbia Water & Light can not formally endorse these products since activated carbon filters have to be replaced as recommended otherwise other problems with the water can occur, like bacterial growth. You can find activated carbon filters in refrigerator bottles or install them in your home’s water supply. Make sure you follow the guidelines for changing the filters if you choose to use one.
No.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources does not recommend reverse osmosis systems to remove Trihalomethanes. Activated carbon filters can remove Trihalomethanes. Columbia Water & Light can not formally endorse activated carbon filters since they have to be replaced as recommended otherwise other problems with the water can occur, like bacterial growth.
Columbia Water & Light
P.O. Box 6015
E-mail: wlmail@GoColumbiaMo.com
Phone: 573-874-7325
Missouri Department of Natural Resources Northeast Regional Office
660-385-8000
privacy policy
linking policy
download plugins
about this site
multi-language
contact the webmaster
