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Charlotte Water has always provided safe water for its customers, and it continues to do so today. One way to ensure its water quality is to conduct quarterly water sample tests. The most recent test indicates elevated levels of trihalomethanes (THMs) at 8 out of 12 designated sampling locations. The water is still safe to use for drinking, cooking bathing and swimming as it meets federal Safe Drinking Water Act Requirements.
“We want to emphasize that our drinking water is in compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safe Drinking Water and N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) requirements,” says Charlotte Water Director Barry Gullet.
Charlotte Water has taken the following actions to help lower the THM levels:
- Decreasing the volume of water stored in elevated water tanks
- Strategically flushing water through hydrants
- Optimizing existing treatment processes within the plants
- Developing a new treatment process that lowers the pH of drinking water to reduce THM formation
THMs are formed when chlorine, a chemical used to kill bacteria, reacts with other compounds. Charlotte Water has seen recent increases of bromide in the source water. Bromide can enter the lakes due to a variety of sources. THM formation increases as water temperatures rise and as water age increases. This is exacerbated by the hot summer weather.
Charlotte Water will continue to address this situation. To learn more, watch this video or visit CharlotteNC.gov.
