Champion and Bazetta water customers receive notice of high trihalomethanes level

Staff report

VIENNA

Notices went into this month’s water bill for customers receiving county water in Champion and Bazetta townships informing them that their water district has been found to have higher levels than allowed of a contaminant called trihalomethanes over the past nine months.

Trihalomethanes are a disinfection byproduct of using chlorine, said Rex Fee, executive director of the Trumbull County Sanitary Engineer’s Office, which operates the Bazetta/Champion Water District.

The notice tells customers that the level of trihalomethanes detected was high enough to trigger the notification.

But it indicates there is no need for them to use an alternative water supply, such as bottled water.

“The levels detected do not pose an immediate risk to your health,” the notice says. “However, some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the [allowable level] over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys or central nervous systems and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.”

Fee said the levels reached a level this summer of 119.3 milligrams per liter, which is well above the allowable level of 80. The levels were 77.1 in the final quarter of 2013 and 54.9 in the first quarter of 2014, Fee said.

Those average out to 82 for that nine-month period, which is what triggered the violation, Fee said.

Warm weather can raise the readings, Fee said. One of the only things the county can do to lower the levels is flush hydrants, especially those in the more remote parts of the district, he said. The district receives its water from the city of Warren.

“It’s not a concern to the majority of the public,” Fee said of the trihalomethanes level. “But if you do have concerns, consult with your doctor.”