The Hagewood Water System is currently in violation of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids as set forth by the State [Part XII of the Louisiana State Sanitary Code (LAC 51 :Xll)] and the Federal Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CPR 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 triltalomethanes (FHMs) and haloacetic acid (HAAs). Some people who drink water containing TTHMs 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. Some people who drink water containing HAAs in excess of the MCL over many years 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 standards are determined by calculating a locational running annual average (LRAA) of quarterly TTHMs and HAA5 sample results. Compliance calculations performed for the second quarter of 1024 show that the system’s current TTHMs LRAA is 90 ppb at DBP0 I – POC 5 POSEY ROAD. The system’s current HAA5 LRAA is 65 ppb at DBP0 I – POC 5 POSEY ROAD; thus, the system is currently in violation of the TTHMs and HAA5 standards.

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.

Please be assured that we are following all reporting requirements to comply with LDH directives. Additionally, we are working to lower the chlorine residual, flushing lines more frequently, and recently completed a tie-in with Sabine Waterworks to supplement our wells.

For additional information, please visit our website: Hagewoodwater.com, or call/text John Bynog, HWS President, at 318-471-6715.