Bellingham still searching for cause of water contamination

BELLINGHAM – The town is continuing to work with the state Department of Environmental Protection and two engineering firms to determine exact cause of higher-than-allowed levels of Total Trihalomethanes, or TTHMs, that were detected in the town’s drinking water in November.

Last month, the Department of Public Works notified residents that the town’s water violated a drinking water standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and contains a high levels of TTHMs, which are disinfection byproducts that occur when

chlorine interacts with organic matter in the water.

The trihalomethanes levels do not pose an immediate health risk for drinking water customers, town officials say. But according to the EPA, people who consume excess amounts of trihalomethanes over many years can develop health problems, including an increased risk of cancer.

Since that announcement, the MassDEP has issued a notice of non-compliance, which requires the town to take certain actions to correct the issue. In response to that order, the DPW has contracted with environmental engineers Wright-Pierce, which will analyze the water department’s existing records and study treatment processes and procedures. The engineers will then help the department draft an action plan to resolve the problem.

According to DPW Director Donald DiMartino, the department has also contracted with BETA Group, Inc. to run a water system model to study the age of water in the water system. The study will be analyzed by WrightPierce to help determine if there are any water distribution system modifications that can help to resolve the issue.

“That is where we are right now. By the middle of February we hope to be preparing an action plan with the recommended steps to resolve the issue,” DiMartino said. “Unfortunately, we can’t simply throw a switch to resolve this issue. Nothing has yet to appear as the clear cause, therefore, we have yet to finalize a solution.”

DiMartino said the town is required to monitor the drinking water for TTHM levels on a quarterly basis (once every three months) at four specific locations in the distribution system. The results of this quarter’s sampling, which were received on Nov. 16, show that the system exceeds the standard or maximum contaminant level for TTHMs at three out of four locations in the northern part of town.

The standard for TTHMs is 80 parts per billion. The sampling conducted by the town showed TTHMs levels at 85 parts per bil- lion at 79 Hartford Avenue; 90 parts per billion at 342 Hartford Avenue; and 88 parts per billion at 115 North Main St.

The fourth sample at 20 Cranberry Meadow showed TTHMs levels well below the standard at only 30 parts per billion.

TTHMs levels can vary depending on a number of factors including the amount of chlorine used, amount of organic material in water sources, temperature, water use, water storage, and season of the year. Control of TTHMs levels must be maintained while also applying appropriate levels of disinfectant in the water necessary to treat the water for contaminants and avoid bacterial issues.

DiMartino said it is important to reiterate that the water problem is not an emergency.

“It is not an issue for bathing, washing dishes, cooking, washing clothing, or other non-consumption water uses,” he said.

Residents who have concerns can drink bottled water or drink water that has been filtered.

“If you have concerns about past exposure we recommend you contact your health care professional,” DiMartino said.