AUBURN – Short- and long-term solutions to problems caused by increased levels of haloacetic acids in drinking water were presented to water district trustees Wednesday.
The problem surfaced in November 2002. At that time, the district was in voluntary compliance with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection when it notified about 6,000 customers of the violation of a federal water quality standard.
Haloacetic acidic compounds are created when chlorine added to water for disinfection combines with natural organic matter. The maximum contaminant level for haloacetic acids is 60 parts per billion. It is based on the estimated lifetime cancer risk of one in 10,000, assuming an adult’s tap water consumption is eight and one-half cups per day for a 154-pound adult. The amount found in November was 65 parts per billion in a sample taken from within the water distribution system.
Superintendent Norm Lamie told trustees that a chloramine feed system housed in a trailer, as outlined to the board last month, could be a short-term solution for the next two to five years. Similar systems are in use in Massachusetts.
Lamie said such a system could be in use in Auburn in about six months and would cost between $150,000 and $175,000. He said a recent water-quality study indicates that chloramination may reduce the acidic compounds. Chloramination uses a combination of chlorine and ammonia to reduce haloacetic acids.
“In the long term, we’re probably going to have to do a different treatment method at Lake Auburn,” Lamie said. One possible method he presented was ultra violet light to kill unwanted organisms. That method is less expensive than others and is currently being adopted by New York City. It is also in use in several cities in Europe.
In a related issue, Lamie discussed the need for another letter to about 6,000 customers informing them of continued levels of haloacetic acids in drinking water that exceeded the maximum contaminant level in a recent water quality test. Technical language in a letter informing residents of the first violation caused apprehension for some people. Several contacted the district with questions about the letter’s reference to an increased cancer risk. That statement and the technical language are required by federal Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
Lamie said an effort would be made to better explain the situation to the public.
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