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Few attend THM meeting

2 min read

CARMICHAELS – A public meeting held by the Carmichaels Municipal Authority to discuss a study that focused on preventing the reoccurrence of high levels of trihalomethanes in the authority’s water drew only a small audience to the Carmichaels High School auditorium Tuesday.

The few customers who did attend, numbering perhaps eight or nine, did, however, appear satisfied the THM problem the authority experienced a year a half ago is being addressed. They urged the efforts continue.

The authority had asked KLH Engineers to prepare a study on what the authority could do to address problems it had in late 2010 and early 2011, when it failed to meet safe drinking water standards for THM.

The study recommends operational adjustments in the authority’s treatment process, most of which already have been implemented. It also recommended steps requiring capital expenditures, including installing aeration systems on water storage tanks, replacing filter controls and installing equipment to chlorinate treated water leaving the storage tanks.

The authority is in compliance with all regulatory requirements, KLH engineer Jim Willard said. Tests for each of the last six quarters indicates THM levels below the maximum contamination level of 0.08 milligrams per liter, he said.

Willard and Rob Horvat, also of KLH, reviewed factors that may have contributed to high THM level and explained the recommendations to address them.

KLH is currently preparing permit designs for the tank aeration system, plant controls and post-tank chlorination system. It needs state permits before it can seek grant money for the projects, Willard said.

One customer, Karen Putila, said information provided Tuesday was a vast improvement compared to what was offered two years ago. “We want to make sure we go forward” using the best technologies available to improve the system, she said. She asked government officials in attendance for assistance. “Carmichaels needs your help. … The community deserves it,” she said.

Board member Edgar Harris said the authority is looking for money for the improvements. Asked for a timeline, Willard said it would be difficult to provide because of permitting and grant processes.

One funding source discussed was Cumberland Township’s Act 13 impact fee revenue. The township has received more than $1 million from Act 13, and customer Terri Donaldson said it should have helped the authority. Township solicitor Dennis Makel, who was in attendance, said, however, that nothing in the township code gave the township the authority to provide money to the water authority.

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