The Chronicler's Web (TCW)

by DAN CALLOWAY
Published 17 November 2009 @ 21:35 UCT

Source: Wikipedia

WEAVERVILLE, NC – The town of Weaverville, NC did not meet its Disinfection Byproduct (DBP) Treatment Technique Requirements for Total Organic Carbon (TOC) compliance based on a 4-quarter Running Annual Average (RAA).

Weaverville’s system did not meet the treatment technique requirement at its water treatment plant for the reduction of DBP precursors, TOC, to appropriate levels for its water system.  Although this situation was and is not an emergency and does not require its citizens to take immediate action, they do have a right to know what happened, and what the town of Weaverville is doing to correct this situation.

North Carolina Rules Governing Public Water Systems requires that the town of Weaverville comply with DBP precursor removal requirements.  Weaverville routinely monitors for the presence of precursors within the water treatment plant.  Test results for the time period from 1 April 2008 through 31 March 2009 indicated that treatment techniques being used have been ineffective in adequately reducing the TOC levels.  A continuation of violation was issued for the time period of 1 July 2008 through 30 June 2009.  Running Annual Average compliance levels were exceeded for two consecutive RAA quarter periods.  These four-quarter periods are 1 April 2008 through 31 March 2009 and 1 July 2008 through 30 June 2009.  North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Division of Environmental Health issued the Notice of Violation (NOV) for April 2008 through March 2009 on 9 October 2009 and for 1 July 2008 through 30 June 2009 on 13 October 2009.

The citizens of Weaverville do not need to use an alternative water supply (bottled water, for example).  However, if they have specific health concerns, then they need to consult their physicians.

Total Organic Carbon has no health effects.  However, TOC provides a medium for the formation of disinfection byproducts.  These byproducts include trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs).  Drinking water containing these byproducts in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) may lead to adverse health concerns, liver or kidney problems, or nervous system effects, and may lead to an increased risk of cancer.

During the extreme drought conditions, Weaverville treatment technique did not maintain previous removal rates.  Weaverville’s water treatment staff began research and developed methods to enhance the treatment process.  The enhanced treatment technique implemented in April 2009 restored TOC removal to compliant levels.  It’s water systems RAA was restored to compliance as of 30 September 2009.

Please share this information with all individuals who drink the town of Weaverville’s water, especially those who may not have received any prior notification directly (for example, if these people live in apartment complexes, nursing homes, who attend schools, and frequent businesses where water is available to drink).

For more information, please contact:

Anthony Laughter, Operations supervisor
Town of Weaverville
Ivy River Water Treatment Facility
50 Sams Road
Weaverville, NC 28787

or call 828.658.2417