Oct 16, 2009 2 min read

The state Department of Environmental Protection said Thursday that levels of total dissolved solids, or TDS, in the Monongahela River have again exceeded the water quality standard for taste and odor established by state and federal authorities. “DEP is working closely with water suppliers to monitor TDS levels on the Monongahela,” said DEP Secretary John Hanger. “Already 12 monitors, funded in part by DEP, have been installed on the river and its tributaries. The resulting data will create an early warning system for water suppliers and industry and draw a sharper focus on the river’s water quality.”

According to DEP officials, the increased levels do not make water levels unsafe to drink but can make the water taste salty and taste bad. Area residents affected by the increased TDS levels can use bottled water for drinking and cooking until the TDS levels return to normal levels.

Officials said said that TDS levels began exceeding 500 parts per million on Sept. 22 near Crucible, Greene County.

In the last two weeks, officials said additional violations of the 500 parts per million standard have been documented as far downstream as Elizabeth.

The total river length currently affected is 46 miles.

The highest TDS levels documented this fall were in Brownsville on Sept. 29 where a level of 577 parts per million was detected.

Officials said that TDS is a measure of all elements dissolved in water and can include carbonates, chlorides, sulfates, nitrates, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium.

Water treatment plants are not equipped to remove TDS from drinking water.