?PUBLIC NOTICE
Cameron Parish Water and
Wastewater District #1
PO Box 960 / 126 Ann Street
Cameron, Louisiana 70631
Ph. 337-775-5660
Fax 337-775-5709
126water@camtel.net
March 6, 2023
The Cameron Parish Water And Wastewater District 1 is currently in violation of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes as set forth by the State [Part XII of the Louisiana State Sanitary Code (LAC 51:XII)] and the Federal Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141).
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) set drinking water standards and requires the disinfection of drinking water. Where disinfection is used in the treatment of drinking water, disinfectants combine with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter present in water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts (DBPs). EPA and LDH set standards for controlling the levels of disinfectants and DBPs in drinking water, including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acid (HAAs). Some people who drink water containing THMs 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.
In December 1998, EPA set enforceable drinking water standards for TTHMs at 80 parts per billion (ppb) and for HAA5 at 60 parts per billion (ppb) to reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health effects. Compliance with the TTHMs and HAA5 standard for public water systems serving less than 10,000 individuals initially became effective and enforceable on January 1, 2004. Compliance with the TTHMs standard is determined by calculating a locational running annual average (LRAA) of quarterly TTHMs sample results. Compliance calculations performed for the first quarter of 2023 show that the system’s current TTHMs LRAA is 92 ppb at DBP03 at 490 DAVIS RD; Thus, the system is currently in violation of the TTHMs standard.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. EPA and LDH do not consider this violation to have any serious adverse health effects on human health as a result of short-term exposure; however, continued long-term exposure to TTHMs and HAA5 levels above the standard (e.g., 20 years of exposure) has the potential to have serious adverse effects on human health.
To correct this problem, we are in the beginning stages of looping our system with Districts #7 & #9 and adding ground storage tanks. This process will help mix & move the water more efficiently with the chlorine to reduce disinfection by-products such as trihalomethanes and haloacetic acid (THMs and HAAs).
For additional information concerning this notice please contact Cameron Parish Water & Wastewater District #1 at 337-775-5660.
RUN: Mar. 9 (M 17)