Working to reduce TDS and sulfate levels

The water delivered to Community Water Co. customers is regularly tested and meets all requirements under the EPA Safe Drinking Water Act.

This EPA regulatory program is intended to ensure the safety of our drinking water.

Community Water Co. has always been concerned about the levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) and sulfate in our water supply as these items are impacted by the proximity of several mines.

We are aware that the TDS and sulfate levels have increased over the past several years.

As a result, Community Water Co. continues to work with the regulatory agencies, to develop a plan with the mine for an acceptable means of reducing the TDS and sulfate levels in our water.

The EPA has provided a guideline to water providers for TDS in our drinking water. The EPA has not found any reason to regulate TDS levels in our drinking water for health reasons.

High TDS levels may affect the aesthetic qualities of drinking water, but do not violate state or federal health standards.

The TDS levels, which are increasing, have been a continuing concern for Community Water Co. and we are actively seeking solutions to this problem.

EPA also provides only a sulfate guideline to water providers. No serious health effects have been linked to high sulfate levels in drinking water, but an EPA study conducted in 1999 did find "a weak increase in reports of diarrhea at the highest dose level (of sulfate) when it was compared to the combined lower doses."

The EPA study reported that the laxative effects arising from sudden exposure to high levels of sulfate in drinking water are usually temporary, as "people acclimate rapidly to the presence of sulfates in their drinking water."

Although studies conducted to date do not indicate any serious health effects from high sulfate levels, Community Water Co. is deeply concerned about any potential health consequences associated with our water.

Investigating options

Community Water Co. is also investigating available options to reduce sulfate levels in our water.

You should be aware that information regarding your water quality is readily available. We regularly submit test results to the government agencies that are responsible for monitoring water quality. Since 1998 we have annually reported the quality of our water, including sulfate levels, to our customers in our Water Quality Report. Our Water Quality Reports and links to the EPA Web site, as well as other studies on sulfate, can be found on our Web site at http://www.communitywater.com.

Our customers can be reassured that we are implementing an acceptable means of reducing the TDS and sulfate levels in our water.

The opinions expressed above are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect those of this newspaper.