From the Rifle Citizen Telegram (John Gardner):
According to the Silt’s public works director Gerry Pace, the town of Silt’s water supply is in violation of the Colorado drinking water standard for a class of chemicals called total trihalomethanes (TTHMs). This is the second time this year that the town’s water has been in violation. “We went up one notch on TTHMs,” Pace said of the third quarter tests which took place in October.
TTHMs form when the source water with natural organic matter is treated with chlorine. Municipalities are required to test TTHM levels quarterly at multiple locations throughout the water system. The state regulates TTHMs to reduce the likelihood of chronic health outcomes due to long-term water consumption. Some people who drink water containing total TTHMs in excess of maximum contamination level, over many years, may experience problems with their liver, kidneys and central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer, according to a letter sent to Silt residents.
Test results from an Oct. 25 test showed that Silt’s water system exceeds the allowable TTHM level of 80 micrograms per liter. The levels reported from the October test were 84 micrograms per liter, compared to 83 from the second quarter tests this year, Pace said. Subsequently, every quarter that TTHM levels remain above 80, the city is required to notify residents.
More water treatment coverage here.