Washington’s drinking water is about as safe as it can be, according to the latest Source Water Assessment Program results.
“The state requires us to send out a water-quality report every year,” said Glenn Cushing, the city employee who compiled the water-quality report the city distributed to its water customers. That report is based on the findings of the Source Water Assessment Program conducted by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The city’s annual water-quality report shows the levels of volatile organic compounds, pesticides and synthetic organic compounds did not exceed the federal maximum contaminant levels for those items. Only three compounds — trihalomethanes, lead and sulfate — surpassed the city’s maximum contaminant level goal, and those levels were below the federal MCLs.
“We are well below (government-mandated) levels or the levels are so low (or nonexistent) we can’t detect the compounds,” Cushing said.
“We’re very pleased with the report,” said Public Works Director Allen Lewis. “The only complaint we ever get is with calcium buildup in water heaters.”
The report shows the city’s water supply (on average) had 16 micrograms of trihalomethanes per liter. The city’s MCLG for trihalomethanes is zero. The federal MCL for trihalomethanes is 80 micrograms per liter.
The report shows the city’s water supply (on average) had 4 micrograms of lead per liter. The city’s MCLG for lead is zero. The federal MCL for lead is 15 micrograms per liter.
The city (on average) had 10.5 milligrams of sulfate per liter, according to the report. The city’s MCLG for sulfate is 5 milligrams per liter. The federal MCL for sulfate is 250 milligrams per liter.
The turbidity (cloudiness caused by suspended particles) of the city’s water supply was at 0.06 NTU, according to the report. The federal MCL for turbidity is 0.05 NTU.
A measurement of 1 microgram per liter means that one pound of a measured substance would be in 1 billion pounds of water. A measurement of I milligram per liter means a pound of a substance would be in present in 1 million pounds of water.
Trihalomethanes and carbon tetrachloride are carcinogenic compounds. In the late 1980s, they were found in the city’s water supply at levels far exceeding recommended state and federal levels. The levels were so high that state health and environmental officials warned the city’s water supply might have to be shut down. Several days later, they told city water customers not to drink the water, not to clean or cook fruits and vegetables in it, not to drink coffee, tea or any other beverage made with it and not shower in it. City schools turned off their drinking fountains.
On Sept. 23, 1989, a Marine convoy delivered water wagons to Washington to provide uncontaminated drinking water.
All that occurred when the city drew its water from surface-water sources such as Tranter’s Creek. Now, the city gets is water from wells that draw groundwater from the Castle Hayne Aquifer
No carbon tetrachloride was detected in the city’s water supply during the latest tests, according to the report. The federal MCL for carbon tetrachloride is 5 micrograms per liter.
The complete SWAP report may be viewed at the water-resources office during regular business hours. Call 252-975-9374 or 252-975-9310 to make an appointment to view the report or to ask questions about the report.