Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this incident was not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what transpired and what we did to correct this situation.
We routinely monitor for drinking water contaminants. Testing results we received on May 29, 2009 showed that our system exceeded the standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), for Trihalomethanes. The standard for Trihalomethanes is 80ppb (Parts Per Billion) and the standard is calculated on the running annual average which is the average of the current test plus the three previous quarterly tests. Reserve Township testing detected a level of 82.2ppb (Parts Per Billion).
What should I do?
You do not need to use an alternative (e.g., bottled) water supply. However, if you have specific health concerns, please consult your doctor.
What does this mean?
This is not an immediate risk. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. However, some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
What happened? What was done?
We are working with the Allegheny County Health Department and the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority to evaluate the water supply and researching options to correct the problem. Chlorine is used as a disinfectant at the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority Treatment Plant. Chlorine reacts with organic matter in the source water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts, which include the total trihalomethanes. The level of these chemicals increase as the water travels through the distribution system. The options may include installing automatic flushing systems, increasing the frequency of our current flushing program, and developing interconnections within and out of our current system. All of these options will enhance flow through the system providing for an acceptable level of Trihalomethanes that do not exceed the MCL of 80ppb.
For more information, please contact the Township Manager at 412-322-1551.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for eg. people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). This can be done by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by the Reserve Township Water Department, 33 Lonsdale Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.
PWS ID# 5020047 Date Distributed : 06-19-09
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Trihalomethanes.
Click here for Facts about about Trihalomethanes.
If you have any questions about this report or concerning your water
utility, please contact Dick Hadley, Municipal Manager at 412-322-1551, 33
Lonsdale Street,
Pittsburgh, PA 15212.
We want our valued customers to be informed about their
water utility. If you want to learn more, please attend any of our regularly
scheduled meetings. They are held on the second Monday of each month at
7:30 PM, 33 Lonsdale Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.
