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12/2/2024
WT Staff
 Got water questions? Give us a call at 877-52-WATER (877-529-2837), or email us at info@wtga.us
December 2, 2024 updated 1218 pm EST
Mystery toxin found in US drinking water identified
Safe Drinking Water Act
The EPA monitors novel contaminants of concern to maintain safe drinking water in the USA. A roster of contaminants of concern are studied extensively in the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring program, a five year intensive investigation to determine whether or not updates need to be made to the SDWA regulations. Following the latest five year testing cycle and announced earlier this year, a group of per- and polyfluoroalkyn (PFAS) substances were added to the list of contaminants that drinking water facilities must manage and maintain below an established maximum. In the last five year investigation cycle, a group of cyanotoxins were studied, the results of that process led to a Health Directive with no change made to the regulations.
Another group of contaminants, the toxic by-products formed when organic particles in raw water react with products used in the disinfection process were added to the SDWA regulations as far back as 1979. Chloroamines are used for disinfection of drinking water for more than 100 million US residents. See the history of the SDWA regulations concerning disinfection by-products, here.
A recent article published in the journal "Science" has identified and characterized what has so far been referred to as an unknown toxin. The article titled "Chloronitramide anion is a decomposition product of inorganic chloramines" by Fairey et el, (Nov 21, 2024 Science, Vol 386 Issue 6724, pp 882-887) at last identifies the unknown. According to the authors, the "chloronitramide anion" has been detected in US drinking water samples where chloroamines are used for disinfection, potentially impacting over 100 million people in the USA. Following more study by the EPA we may see this contaminant added to the SDWA By-products of disinfection rules in the future. More to follow.
Safe Drinking Water Advisories
White County: Cleveland had some water customers under a boil order through Thanksgiving, the order has since been lifted. According to the City of Cleveland Water Distribution Operator, a 6-inch water main ruptured November 28 at 100 Pine Hills Drive. The boil water came into effect for customers on Pine Hill Drive, Honeycomb Terrace, and Christopher Court for part of the Thanksgiving weekend. Cleveland Waterworks distributes potable water to 5587 residents from a surface water source purchased from another licensed drinking water facility in White County, in the Upper Chattahoochee River watershed. See the yellow tag on the map to the right for the location of this drinking water facility.
See Georgia's drinking water facility compliance report, here.
Streamflow Situation from the network of the USGS monitoring stations in Georgia
Fair, 40 degrees at Warner Robins Air Force Base, heading for a sunny day, high 53. Freezing expected tonight, be sure to cover exposed exterior pipes and sensitive plants. The south outlook is similar, sunny, high 60 going to a low of 32 overnight.
Streamflows through central Georgia are mainly below seasonal Monday, in the lower 25th percentile of flows observed over decades on this date. The Upper Coosa River watershed in north central GA remains at seasonal normal values, otherwise northwest and northeast are reporting below the 25th percentile, rated below normal. The south runs normal to above normal, from the 25th to the 90th percentile.
The drought map has expanded again overnight, the below normal status of the Upper Savannah River watershed had spread to adjacent territory of the Upper Oconee River, now also taking in the Upper Ocmulgee River watershed. Upper Atlantic drainage basin area on the drought map Monday includes Savannah River watershed Rabun, Habersham, Stephens, Hart, Banks, Franklin, Madison, Oglethorpe, Elbert and Lincoln Counties. Upper Oconee River watershed area included in the drought rating are Jackson to Barrow, Athens and Clarke Counties, east Walton, Morgan, Jasper, Putnam and Greene Counties below normal. Ocmulgee River watershed area in Fulton, Dekalb, Gwinnett, Rockdale, Newton and down to Bibb all below normal moisture level heading into the freeze season. In the south Atlantic basin, Charlton County continues below normal in the St Marys River watershed. On the Mississippi River side of the drainage divide in north Georgia, the Tennessee River watersheds east and west remain below normal.
Hazardous Spill File
A sewage spill was reported to Georgia Environmental Protection Division last week Wednesday impacting the Ocmulgee River watershed. The amount of sewage was not known by the reporting party, the incident is under investigation by EPD, more to follow.
See the pink tags on the map to the right with the watershed layer and directional arrows enabled. The hazardous spills are shown in pink, note the proximity to surface water bodies accessed for municipal drinking water. Contaminants entering the environment, specifically the drinking water supply, create additional burden for the municipal water treatment works. EPA oversees the Safe Drinking Water Act regulations, updating for new contaminants of concern as research and monitoring dictate.
See the Hazardous Spill File, here.
Register for the EPA National Pollution Prevention Training and Conference coming up in December, here.
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