Springhill Township residents warned of water contaminant
Customers of State Line Municipal Services Authority are being advised that drinking water served by the authority has exceeded standard contaminant levels.
The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said the facility’s water exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s maximum contaminant level for trihalomethanes.
A boil-water advisory is not in effect, but the increased levels of trihalomethanes could possibly pose a risk to people with compromised immune systems, according to a DEP press release.
The authority serves water to about 90 people who reside in the area of Davidson in Springhill Township.
The DEP issued the warning on behalf of State Line Municipal Services Authority after the authority failed to provide notice to its customers as required by the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Regulations.
The maximum contaminant level for trihalomethanes in drinking water is a running annual average of 0.080 mg/L of samples collected each calendar quarter. The most recent results of samples taken by the authority show that trihalomethanes are present at 0.10 mg/L, which exceeds the allowable limit for this contaminant.
Trihalomethanes, according to the DEP, are formed when disinfection is used in the treatment of drinking water. Chlorine combines with organic and inorganic matter present in water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts. Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the maximum contaminant level over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
The DEP said the presence of trihalomethanes in drinking water is not an immediate risk, however, it could have health effects if consumed over a long period of time. People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health-care providers.
For more information, call Jerry Shiflett of Stateline Municipal Services Authority at 724-725-9375 or Kay Frederick of the DEP at 412-442-4000.