Springfield’s drinking water exceeds maximum allowed levels of chemical: Drinking water remains safe - MassLive.com

SPRINGFIELD -- The city’s Water and Sewer Commission is notifying residents of the continuing appearance of haloacetic acids in the drinking water, but people can continue to drink tap water safely.

The acids, known as HAA5, exceed the maximum contaminant level set by the state Department of Environmental Protection. It is not considered a health hazard so residents can continue to drink tap water without filtrating or boiling it, said Jaimye Bartak, communications manager for the commission.

At high levels, the haloacetic acids can cause liver, kidney, eye, nervous system and reproductive system problems. People who have “very fragile health vulnerabilities” should contact their doctors to see if they should take extra precautions, she said.

The chemicals form through water treatment when chlorine reacts with dissolved natural organic material found in surface water at the Cobble Mountain Reservoir or other locations. The organic material flows into the reservoir through rain and snow running over plant matter and soil in the forest so high precipitation from 2018 caused an increase of the material, she said.

Because more chlorine was needed to treat the water due to the increased organic material it created the chemical. The problem is on-going and the Commission is expecting the levels to continue to exceed maximum levels through 2020. The next testing is expected to take place in March, Bartak said.

The Commission is currently working to make significant upgrades to the treatment plant that will ensure consistent water quality and state regulation compliance. In the fall the commission began pilot testing to evaluate treatment processes to reduce the chemical and that will continue through the summer, she said.

Once the testing is complete, the Commission plans to design upgrades to the plant, which must be approved by the state before construction begins. The cost of the project is expected to be about $70 million and take about 36 months to complete, Bartak said.

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Springfield’s drinking water exceeds maximum allowed levels of chemical: Drinking water remains safe - MassLive.com
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