Wrightsville Beach’s drinking water could soon be back in compliance with United States Environmental Agency (EPA) standards.
Residents were notified mid-January that water in part of the town’s water system contained amounts of a contaminant called trihalomethane (THM) exceeding the maximum levels allowed by the EPA.
The violation was based on the average level of THMs during the third quarter of the year, ending in September. THMs form when chlorine, a disinfecting agent, mixes with organic compounds such as bromine in the source water. They are suspected to be carcinogenic when consumed in large quantities over a long period of time.
Assistant public works director Steve Dellies said, while he expects a violation for the fourth quarter of 2014 as well, the most recent reading taken January 2015 indicates the levels are now dropping.
“If we continue on this trend we’ll be back in compliance in this quarter,” Dellies told the Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen during its annual retreat Feb. 14.
Dellies said the town lowered the THM levels by using less chlorine and aggressively flushing the pipes to keep the water circulating during low-usage times. The more time the water spends in the pipes, the longer the chlorine interacts with the organic compounds and the more THMs form.
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