Just three years after its “no contact” water advisory was lifted, Tracy City residents were sent a new letter that affirmed that drinking water in the town may have health-related risks. According to the letter, the Tracy City Water System violated federal drinking standards, as evidenced by an increased amount of total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) in the water.
Below is a copy of the report from New Channel 9. See the article on the published website here.
Water warning in Tracy City
TRACY CITY, Tenn. — This week, residents in Tracy City received a notice in the mail about their drinking water from the Tracy City Utility District.
The letter says the Tracy City Water System recently violated a federal drinking water standard, between July 1st, 2015 and June 30th, 2016.
The letter says the city is taking steps to correct the measure.
And while the letter doesn't require any immediate action on the part of residents, it does explain that there are potential hazards that come with drinking the water over the long term.
The chemical that turned up in the water that forced the issue is called total trihalomethanes (TTHMs). The Tracy City Utility District says in the letter that the problem arose after raising the level of the Big Fiery Gizzard Reservoir (see below).
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says any time the recommended level of TTHMs is exceeded, the public needs to be made aware.
Reporter James Torrez is in Tracy City on Wednesday hearing from residents about their concerns. He is also contacting the Tracy City Utility District for more information.
Here is the full text of the letter:
"IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Tracy City Water System recently violated a Federal drinking water standard. Although this situation does not require that you take immediate action, you as a customer have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what was done to correct this situation.
During the July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 compliance period the water system's locational Running Annual Average (LRAA) at site #250, Wayne Walker, for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) has been calculated to be 0.084 mg/L [milligrams per Liter]. This value exceeds the maximum contaminant level of 0.080 mg/L sset for total trihalomethanes.
Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes is (sic) excess of MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
You do not need to boil your water or take other actions. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
For more information, please contact: Tommy E. McFarland at 931-592-2787 Ext. 102.
Please share this information with everyone who may drink this water, including those who may not have received this notice directly (for example people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by passing (sic) this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by the Tracy City Water System, PWSID #TN0000706.
Date distributed: 8/30/2016
Corrective Actions:
The Tracy City Public Utility has taken measures to improve its treatment processes by adding an additional raw water intake level approximately 6 feet beow the full pool lake level. Since raising the Big Fiery Gizzard Reservoir 7 feet, the raw water quality has been experiencing high levels of organics and dissolved metals such as; iron and manganese. These contaminants leach out of the soil, which is now under water. The utility has increased the sampling frequency of TOC's and Trihalomethane testing to ensure these changes we have made are improving the water quality. The utility is also stepping up its flushing program, especially in areas more susceptible to aging ware (sic). We will be utilizing some automatic flushing devices in these areas to keep the water quality at its maximum."