9-15-10 —     Monticello Utility Commission customers received a letter in the mail last month noting that the local water system recently violated a drinking water standard. According to the letter, the water system has levels of haloacetic acids above drinking water standards.

    Although this may have created alarm for customers, there is no need to be alarmed, according to Gene Jones, system manager for the Monticello Utility Commission. Jones discussed the violations with commissioners during their meeting last Thursday, September 9.

    "There's nothing wrong with the water, the water is safe to drink," Jones told board members.

    He explained that the haloacetic acids is a byproduct of the chlorine in the water. Chlorine is a disinfectant that, when added to the water, inactivates the harmful organisms that are found in the water. However, there are some disinfection byproducts that are formed by the chlorine, such as the haloacetic acid. These byproducts have a very minimal risk.

    The recent violations stemmed from the levels of haloacetic acids being above the drinking water standard of 0.060 mg/L. The level of haloacetic acid averaged at the local system was 0.061 mg/L.

    Having this violation means that a person would have to drink two liters of water every day at the maximum contaminate level for a lifetime to have a one-in-a-million chance of having major and serious health effects.

    "The violations are being addressed by employees and consultants to regain compliance," stated Jones. "We are evaluating the process and making modifications and necessary changes within the distribution system to insure compliance. This includes flushing of mains, fire hydrants and increased tank storage."

    According to Jones, compliance is anticipated before the end of the next testing period.

    In connection to the notice of violation, board members took action last week to purchase five automatic flush hydrants for some of the remote water lines and chlorine booster stations. Jones explained that there are some places in the water system where the water does not move like it should, which plays a major role in the levels of byproducts in the system. He pointed out that by placing the automatic flush hydrants in these areas employees could set the controllers to move the water as often as it needs to be moved to help lower the levels of byproducts in the system.

    In other news, Jones informed board members about the National Take Back Drugs Initiative on Saturday, September 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This effort is a collaboration between the DEA, Monticello City Police, Monticello Utility Commission, and the Wayne County KY-ASAP (Agency for Substance Abuse Policy) Board.

    In an effort to remove potentially dangerous substances from our county's medicine cabinets and homes, a collection site will be set up in the Monticello Utility Commission parking lot. This event allows local residents to bring in their expired, unwanted, or unused medications for proper disposal by the DEA.

    These drugs are a potential source of supply for illegal use and improper disposal of them carries an unacceptable risk to public health and safety and our local water supply.

    The program is anonymous and each participant should remove all names or other identifying information from all containers. Participants will personally place their unwanted medications in the secure container provided by the DEA. No needles or IV solutions will be accepted. A law enforcement officer will be on-site at all times to maintain security of the lock box.

    For more information about the National Take Back Drugs Initiative call Kathryn Tucker at (606) 348-9343.

    In other action, the board:

    • voted to purchase the equipment necessary to do in-house billing. With employees doing the billing in-house, it will result in a savings for the utility commission.

    • heard departmental reports for August.