WJPA expects ‘favorable results’ when latest MUD 60 water tests come back
The head of the of The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency says he’s confident recent testing of the drinking water for customers of Municipal Utility District 60 will be coming back with “favorable results.”
W JP A General Manager Jim Stinson says officials with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have recently conducted more testing on the water, with the commission’s findings expected to be reported to the agency “anyday now.”
“It’s my thought today that the adjustments that we havemade will produce favorable results,” Stinson said Wednesday, Nov. 15.
Concerns had been raised in June when testing by the TCEQ showed that some of the samples taken by the commission exceeded the maximum level of total trihalomethanes. The chemicals are actually a group of chemicals that form when chlorine or other disinfectants used to control contaminants in drinking water react with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter in water.
The TCEQ and the federal Environmental Protection Agency say some people who drink water with trihalomethanes in excess of the maximum level over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may also have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Still, state and federal regulators say there is no need to find an alternative water source when drinking water is found to have the higher levels.
Former The Woodlands Township Board of Directors member Laura Fillault, who lost her bid for re-election on Nov. 7, had previously asked for a report from the WJPA about the water quality after neighborhood residents received notices about the elevated levels.
According to Stinson, as well as independent sources, including the Water Research Center, a group that provides information for water and wastewater treatment operators, warmer weather is among the factors that can cause a rise in the levels of the chemicals.
Stinson had appeared in front of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors during an Oct. 25 meeting and predicted that he would be able to return and report that “everything was in compliance” when the latest testing was completed. The WJPA is the management agency for MUD 60, as well as a number of other MUDs that serve The Wood lands.
Stinson said when the results from the most recent tests come back he looks forward to sharing them with the township board.