City: Tri-halomethane levels below maximum

The City of Oberlin announced on April 14 tests results for total trihalomethanes fell below maximum permitted levels.

The most recent results indicated there were 32.1 parts per billion, falling well below the maximum permitted level of 80.

In March the city sent out notices to customers in their utility bills indicating the results of January testing had raised the annual average to 81.4 parts of tri-halomethanes per billion. The city advised customers at the time the results did not pose an immediate health risk.

City of Oberlin public works director Jeff Baumann believes the increase was the result of laboratory mishandling as the January test result was 50% higher than any other test. The result triggered the necessity to notify customers.

“Health and safety is a top priority. We are confident that our water has been and will continue to be healthy and safe to drink in compliance with all requirements of the Safe Water Drinking Act,” Baumann wrote in a statement.

After contacting the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency advising them of the suspected error, they were unwilling to invalidate the results, requiring the city to issue the notice in accordance with regulatory requirements.

“The city will continue to complete monthly testing in compliance with all state requirements. We have provided our water customers with important updates regarding the quality of our water and we will continue to do so in the future,” Baumann said.