TOWN OF WALLKILL – The Consolidated Water District #1 again has violated a drinking water standard. This is not an emergency, town officials said.
The town routinely monitors for the presence of drinking water contaminants and on September 1, it was notified that on August 16, samples showed the system exceeded the maximum contaminant level for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs).
The standard for those is 80 micrograms per liter (ug/l), but in the third quarter of 2022 the levels were recorded at 86.75 ug/l, 89.25 ug/l, 80.5 ug/l, and 105 ug/l in the four locations sampled in sites selected by the State Health Department.
Town officials said there is no need to use an alternative water supply, unless you have specific health concerns. In that case, contact your doctor.
While the town said this is not an immediate risk, some people who drink water containing TTHMs in excess of the maximum contaminant level for many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Those TTHMs are caused by the reaction of the chlorine in the water with the organics in the water. Chlorine is needed to keep bacteria growing in the system, a town notice said.
It said the town is continually making changes to the filter plants to try and get more of the organics out of the water.
The town water system has had a history of contaminant violations in recent years.
