Port Clinton battles chemical in water supply

PORT CLINTON — Port Clinton officials fixed a problem with the city's water supply.Although the problem involved a possible cancer-causing chemical, the levels of chemical did not pose an immediate health hazard and customers were told they didn't have to switch to bottled water.The city mailed out a "Drinking Water Notice" to water customers on Dec. 26, letting them know that trihalomethanes in the city water supply were above federal drinking water standards during the last four quarters."Our water system recently violated the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for TTHM, The average level of TTHM over the last four quarters was 0.08025 mg/L. The standard for TTHM IS 0,080 mg/L," the city said in its letter to customers.The letter was in response to a violation notice the Ohio EPA issued on Dec. 10.On Jan. 2, the city received a follow-up letter from the Ohio EPA, telling the city that the violation has been withdrawn, as trihalomethanes did not exceed standards during the fourth quarter.The city's measurements for trihalomethanes were at, but did not exceed, the water quality standard, said the letter from Hayley Nininger of the Ohio EPA.Any problems with Port Clinton water are taken seriously and are dealt with by the city and the city's bulk water supplier, Ottawa County Regional Water, said Eric Petersen, utility foreman for the city.Trihalomethanes are produced as a byproduct when chlorine used to disinfect drinking water reacts with organic matter in the water. They are considered carcinogenic and have been regulated in the U.S. water supply for decades.Petersen's letter to city water customers says the city will carry out additional water tests. In the summer, it will carry out additional water hydrant flushing, and it will install automated hydrant flushing systems near the water sampling sites.In addition, Port Clinton officials have met twice this month with officials from Ottawa County Regional Water to discuss the problem, Petersen said.Port Clinton's last significant water problem was in August. On August 26, Port Clinton had two significant water main breaks and responded by issuing a city wide water boil order.Eric Petersen