Mims Water Supply contains contaminant
By J. Leslie Riseden
In a Jan. 29 notice, Mims Water Supply Corporation of Avinger informed its customers that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has found that “the drinking water being supplied to customers served off of the main water line on FM 729 between Highway 155 and Alley Creek had exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for haloacetic acids.” The Mims letter assured its customers they “… do not need to use an alternative water supply.” However, because some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids (HAAs) in excess of the recommended MCL over many years may have an increased risk of cancer, Mims suggested that if any customer has health concerns, they may want to talk to their doctor to get more information about how this could affect them. According to Mims, HAAs are “volatile organic compounds that are formed when chlorine, added to the water during the treatment process for disinfection, reacts with naturally-occurring organic matter in the water.” The acceptable level of HAAs is 0.060 micrograms per liter (mg/L); the TCEQ testing of December 1, 2015 revealed a level of 0.065 mg/L. “This is the first time we’ve ever tested high,” said Mims office manager Paula Hathcoat. She went on to explain that heavy rains and low usage during the winter months of 2015 resulted in water remaining in the pipes for longer than usual. Hathcoat advised that some water lines were often inaccessible due to flooding during the fourth quarter of 2015. The affected lines have since been extended and flush valves relocated. In addition, the routine flushing schedule will be increased. With all of these measures in place, according to Mims, “increased flushing will prevent the water from sitting in the lines for a prolonged length of time” and “the HAAs levels should return to normal.” Another test will be performed during the first quarter of 2016, and results will be reported at the annual meeting on April 26. (TCEQ only requires customer notification in the event of a failure to meet minimum standards.) For further information, customers may contact David Oney, Mims General Manager/Chief Operator, at 903-755-3185.
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