State Water Reps Test Local Supply

Solutions Studied to Improve City`s Water Quality

The last week of June brought Cedar Key water users the 2004 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report from the Cedar Key Water & Sewer District. The information provided is similar to that in a letter sent to all district customers in a warning letter sent to district customers on June 10, 2005.

The 2004 report, based on samples taken in September and December of 2004, tells of total trihalomethane (TTHM) contaminants averaging 423 parts per billion, which is more than four times the allowable maximum contaminant level (MCL) in drinking water. The 2003 drinking water report told of 328 ppb, which is over three times the allowable amount. The 2004 report also listed haloacetic acid (HAA) contamination of 213 ppb, three times the allowable limit, and somewhat higher than the report in the June 10 letter.

At the June Board meeting of the Water District, John Hotaling presented a capital improvement plan that projected an expense of $500,000 to "meet DBP regulations".

The trihalomethanes and holoacetic acids are produced when the water is disinfected with chlorine. Two methods of avoiding the contaminants are being considered following rejection of three other methods. One of the rejected methods was the use of chloramines. That method may cause an odor from the water, cannot be consumed by patients on kidney dialysis and is detrimental to aquarium fishes.

Representatives of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Rural Water Association came to Cedar Key during the week of June 27 to test drinking water and to consider ways to reduce halo-organic water contaminants.

Paul Lackemacher of the Florida Rural Water Association said that our water district is looking for a way to change the treatment process rather than a change in the system. He added there is no way to tell when the problem can be solved.

However, Greg Parker, who is a professional engineer for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, said the problem could be solved in several months.

The Cedar Key Water and Sewer District has been working on the problem for several years. For many years the DEP has focused on large cities, but more recently has required small districts to reduce trihalomethane contamination.