[Press Release] : Chloramine water treatment notification mailed

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2009

Contact: Connie Kacprowicz
Columbia Water & Light
Public Information Specialist
(573) 874-7325

Chloramine water treatment notification mailed

	(Columbia, MO) - Columbia Water & Light is sending notification
this week about the conversion to the chloramine disinfection method. If
equipment delivery and installation goes as planned, the utility will
change the disinfection method in August. Columbia Water & Light is
required to send a letter to water customers about the change. 
	In order to lower the levels of trihalomethanes in Columbia’s
water, the utility has approval from the Missouri Department of Natural
Resources and the Columbia City Council to change the disinfection
method. Columbia Water & Light will start using chloramine as a
secondary disinfectant. This is a common technique used in many water
systems for the last 90 years. First, chlorine is added to the water to
prevent bacterial growth and prevent disease causing illnesses. Ammonia
is then added to the water which forms chloramine.
	The recent water tests have shown decreased levels of
trihalomethanes but Columbia Water & Light must ensure that the levels
of total trihalomethanes are lowered more significantly. Total
trihalomenthanes present health problems over a long period of time.
They are a by-product of the disinfection process which forms when
chlorine reacts with organic material in the water. Over the years, the
water distribution system has grown and it takes longer for the water to
reach the furthest points of the system. This means there is more time
for the chemical reaction between the organic material and the chlorine
to form trihalomethanes. 
	The chloramine disinfection method slows the chemical reaction
between the chlorine and the organic material which causes the formation
of trihalomethanes. Research by the University of Missouri’s Water
Resources Research Center shows that using chloramine as a secondary
disinfectant may lower the level of trihalomethanes by up to 50 percent.

	Chloraminated water is safe for drinking, bathing, cooking,
gardening and other household tasks. As with chlorine, the chloramine
should be removed from the water when used in kidney dialysis machines.
Patients undergoing dialysis should check with their doctors about the
dialysis filtering method being used. Chloramine must also be removed
before using the water in fish tanks. Products for chloramine removal
are available through aquarium supply stores.
	The chloramine process was selected as a way to lower
trihalomethanes because it is a low-cost option that can be implemented
this summer. Columbia Water & Light is conducting a study of the water
treatment plant to see if other options for lowering the total
trihalomethanes are feasible. One method that has been suggested is to
change the filtering system so more organic material can be removed.

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