Bristol County Water Authority
450 Child Street, Warren, RI 02885Customer Service -(401) 245-2022
Administration - (401) 245-2033
Fax - (401) 245-2004
PRESS RELEASE
ACUTE VIOLATION OF PUBLIC DRINKING WATER STANDARD
BRISTOL COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY
CHILD STREET TREATMENT PLANT, Warren, RI
SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2010
Bristol County Water Authority (BCWA) uses Chlorine Dioxide as a disinfectant at their Child Street Treatment Plant in Warren. While Chlorine Dioxide is effective in killing microbes in drinking water, it may have adverse affects on humans if levels in the distribution system exceed EPA Standards. This level is 0.8 milligrams per liter. Bristol County Water Authority is required to measure the level of Chlorine Dioxide in the water leaving the Child Street Treatment Plant at least once per day. If the level exceeds 0.8 mg/1, they must also monitor the Chlorine Dioxide level at the first customer's tap three times during the following day, at six hour intervals. The level of Chlorine Dioxide leaving the Treatment Plant on Thursday July 15 was 1.1 mg/l. On Friday the level leaving the Plant was 0.9 mg/1 and on Saturday it was 1.0 mg/l. Samples taken at the first customer's tap on Saturday morning had levels of 1.05 mg/l.
Although these exceedances are by small margin, BCWA turned the Child Street Treatment Plant off on Saturday at ll:00 am. The Plant will be kept off line until additional sampling confirms compliance with the Standard and the cause of the exceedance is found. All customers are now receiving water from Providence through the BCWA East Bay Pipeline. BCWA did not sample the distribution system on Friday, however water samples taken throughout the affected areas on Saturday afternoon had Chlorine Dioxide levels of 0.2 or lower, well below the allowable standard. Therefore, we are confident that high levels of Chlorine Dioxide are no longer present and no further precautions are needed.
The Chlorine Dioxide violations reported today include exceedances of the EPA Standard within the distribution system which delivers water to consumers. Violations of the Chlorine Dioxide Standard within the distribution system may harm human health based on short-term exposures. Certain groups, including fetuses, infants and young children, may be especially susceptible to nervous system effects from excessive Chlorine Dioxide exposure.
Some infants and young children who drink water containing Chlorine Dioxide in excess of the MRDL could experience nervous system effects. Similar effects may occur in fetuses of pregnant mothers who drink water containing Chlorine Dioxide in excess of the MRDL. Some people may experience anemia.
The Child Street Plant serves approximately one quarter of the BCWA customers. These customers are predominantly in eastern portions of Warren and Bristol. Water purchased from Providence does not have high levels of chlorine dioxide. However, the distribution system is interconnected so all customers are being notified.
There is no need to refrain from drinking BCWA tap water. The water in the distribution system is safe to drink and meets all drinking water standards. It is noted that the EPA Chlorine Dioxide Standard of 0.8 mg/liter, is very conservative and the exceedance was of a very small margin, not much greater than the limits and for a short duration of time.
Customers of Bristol County Water Authority are asked to contact neighbors who may not be aware of this advisory. For further information, contact the BCWA at 245-2022 between the hours of 6:00 pm through 9:30 pm on Saturday, July 17 and the hours of 8:00 am through 4:00 pm on Sunday, July 18 and the hours of 8:45 am through 4:00 pm during normal business days.
For general information about drinking water, contact HEALTH's Information Line at 222-5960, Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Copyright 2001 Bristol County Water Authority. All rights reserved.