Public Notice - No Violation
In July 2016, the Joint Municipal Water & Sewer Commission (JMWSC) sent public notice of an exceedance in the drinking water standard related to a disinfection byproduct (DBP) called haloacetic acids (HAA5). Around that same time, the City of West Columbia began making changes in the treatment process to reduce DBP formation. We have been monitoring these changes and are pleased to report that the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) third quarter compliance sample results confirm our own findings that DBP levels have been significantly reduced. The samples show no violation of the drinking water standard for DBPs.
The JMWSC purchases water that has been treated by the City of West Columbia at the City’s Lake Murray Water Treatment Plant and delivers that treated water to our customers. As our water supplier, the City of West Columbia has responsibility for treatment of the water we deliver, and for minimizing DBP formation during the treatment process. Although the JMWSC does not have full control over the treatment processes and operations at the City of West Columbia treatment plant, we work closely with DHEC and the City of West Columbia to monitor water quality.
As water professionals, we take seriously our role in providing safe drinking water, understanding and interpreting state and federal drinking water regulations, and keeping the public informed while ensuring we do not create undue concern. We will continue to keep the public updated with relevant information and provide additional notice if additional measures become necessary. Thank you for your continued support of our critical mission to deliver safe drinking water. Should you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 803-359-8373 or customerservice@lcjmwsc.com.
Jay Nicholson
General Manager
PDF of October 2016 Public Notice
Thursday, October 6, 2016 11:22:00 AM