Health press release from OWASA

"Orange Water and Sewer Authority

NEWS RELEASE September 4, 2008

Elevated levels of disinfection by-products found in drinking water samples

In the week of August 11th, 2008 OWASA collected water samples from 19 locations to test the levels of trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), which are by-products of disinfecting water with chlorine. OWASA uses a combination of chlorine and ammonia to disinfect drinking water.

OWASA is the community-owned, public non-profit water and sewer agency that serves the Carrboro-Chapel Hill community.

THMs and HAAs form when chlorine reacts chemically with natural organic matter in water. People who drink water with elevated levels of THMs or HAAs for many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

On September 3rd, OWASA received test results from the private laboratory which analyzed the water samples. THMs in 13 of the 19 samples exceeded 80 parts per billion (ppb), and HAAs in 5 samples exceeded 60 ppb. One part per billion is like one penny in $10 million.

Under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and related State regulations, THM levels may average up to 80 ppb for the last 12 months and the HAA level may average up to 60 ppb. THM levels in OWASA’s sampling program have averaged 53 ppb in the last year. The average for HAAs was 48 ppb.

OWASA’s drinking water is safe to drink. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Public Water Supply Section, a person would have to drink 2 liters of water every day with levels above the Federal and State standards for a lifetime to have a one-in-a-million chance of having the described health effect.

OWASA’s Laboratory staff has contacted customers where testing indicated elevated THM and HAA levels, and delivered letters regarding the test results. OWASA has also contacted the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Public Water Supply Section.

OWASA is investigating the potential causes of the elevated levels of THMs and HAAs so they can be addressed. OWASA will collect and test additional water samples to evaluate the recent information and will report the results.

THM and HAA levels in recent water samples

Location
Address
(in Chapel Hill unless otherwise noted)
THM (ppb)
HAA (ppb)
Chapel Hill North Medical Center
1838 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd #B-19
86
60
UNC Horace Williams Airport
1003 Estes Drive Extension
65
61
Chapel Hill Bible Church
260 Erwin Road
93
66
Hardee's
1800 Fordham Blvd.
82
53
Montessori Community School
4512 Pope Road
83
64
Express Lane convenience store
601 NC Highway 54 West
85
58
Orange County Southern Human Services Center
2501 Homestead Rd.
80
45
Christ United Methodist Church
716 Market Street (Southern Village)
80
57
Starpoint convenience store and grill
US 15-501 South
102
67
Vine Veterinary Hospital
1217 East Franklin Street
77
52
Carr Mill Mall
200 North Greensboro Street, Carrboro
76
51
UNC Hospitals
Manning Drive
79
60
East Chapel Hill High School
500 Weaver Dairy Road
85
5
Seawell Elementary School
9115 Seawell School Road
91
59
Timberlyne Apartments
200 Westminster Dr.
91
59
UNC James T. Hedrick Building
211 Friday Center Dr.
94
64
Rashkis Elementary School
601 Meadowmont Lane
93
58
Calvander Food Mart
108 Dairyland Road (west of Carrboro)
97
54
McDougle Middle School
900 Old Fayetteville Road, Carrboro
92
59


For more Information:

Rachel Monschein, Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant Laboratory Supervisor, 537-4227; e-mail: rmonschein@owasa.org

Sandra Bradshaw, Laboratory Manager, 537-4206; e-mail: sbradshaw@owasa.org

Ken Loflin, Water Supply and Treatment Manager, 537-4232; e-mail: kloflin@owasa.org

400 JONES FERRY ROAD, CARRBORO, NC 27510
PHONE: (919) 968-4421; FAX: (919) 968-4464
WEB SITE: WWW.OWASA.ORG; E-MAIL: WEBMASTER@OWASA.ORG"