Gary Smith, Moscow Water Treatment Plant chief operator, tests for
agricultural chemicals, biological, VOC's, turbidity, and
just about any other constituent/contaminant of concern. Presently,
he is testing, at a minimum, monthly. However, anytime new sections
of water line are added to the current system, the frequency of his
testing increases.
The EPA has proposed regulations requiring water suppliers
nationwide to provide annual reports on what's in their drinking
water and whether it meets federal standards. The regulation is
currently undergoing a 45-day comment period; however, it approval
will most likely occur. The regulation would then be finalized
before the end of the year with most water suppliers reporting
sometime in 1999. Included in the annual report would be:
1. What lakes, underground aquifers or rivers the water came from.
2. What contaminants were in the water and whether the amounts
exceeded EPA health standards.
3. What health risks were posed by the contamination when federal
standards were exceeded.
4. What violations and enforcement actions had been taken against the
water supplier during the year.
5. Provide customers information on how they could obtain state
reports on how vulnerable their water system might be to
contaminants.
I have recommended that the PMWRC include the EPA requirements in the
1997 Annual Palouse Water Use Report. Currently, the Annual Report
includes four of the five requirements. The format will slightly
differ from past years but water suppliers on the Palouse can assure
their customers that our drinking water exceeds EPA requirements.
Just one more question Steve. Do you know who tests the city water for ag.
chemical contaminants, the method used and how frequently it is tested?
Thanks.
Greg Meyer
At 02:34 PM 3/23/98 +0000, you wrote:
>Greg,
>
>To answer question 1. The wells in the shallow aquifer are overlain
>with a surficial aquifer consisting primarily of clays, silts [the
>Palouse Loess is a wind-blown silt from the Scablands of Washington]
>with interveining lens of sands and gravels. Since the inception of
>agriculture on the Palouse no contamination has been detected in the
>Wanapum basalt aquifer. This is a function of the surficial aquifers
>hydraulic characteristics, the ability of the clays, silts, etc. to
>move water.
>