Public notice

The Lost Bridge Village Water and Sewer District is a public water system subject to regulation under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Those regulations require the notification of customers whenever a violation occurs and this is the basis for this notice.

The annual average of quarterly samples of the level of total trihalomethanes, a disinfection by product, in the water exceeded the maximum contaminant level of 80 parts per billion for the period from January 2016 through March 2016. The average level in your water for site #049YD003 this period was 87 parts per billion.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets the national standards for drinking water and has established the maximum level for trihalomethanes at 80 micrograms per liter. Trihalomethanes are a group of by-product chemicals which are formed by the use of chlorine in the treatment of drinking water. Disinfectants, such as chlorine, react with naturally occurring organic and in organic matter present in water to form chemicals called disinfection by products (DBPS). EPA has determined that a number of DBPS are a health concern at certain levels of exposure.

Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCI over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys or central nervous system and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. EPA has set standards to limit exposure to trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids and other DBPS.

The Arkansas Department of Health has advised the water system that there is no immediate health risk from consuming the water. Failure to meet this requirement does not necessarily mean that the water is unsafe or that alternate sources of water should be used.

The Lost Bridge Village Water Department has contacted the Arkansas Department of Health in regards to this notice. We will continue to monitor the DBPS levels along with our supplier Benton Washington Regional Public Water Authority. Lake conditions over the last 12 months have made it difficult to meet these levels.

Should you have any questions concerning this notice, contact the water system at 479-359-3697 or 479-936-1220. You can also contact the Engineering Section of the Arkansas Department of Health at 501-661-2623.

Information on drinking water can be obtained from the engineering section at 501-661-2623 and the health effects of Trihalomethanes from Epidemiology section at 501-661-2796.