Water customers of Roane Central Utility District are receiving letters warning them of a slight elevation in contaminants. According to the letter sent August 21, 2017, the Tennessee Department of Enviroment and Conservation notified Roane Central Utility District that, in a compilation and calculation of locational running annual averages (LRAA’s) that measure the maximum contaminant level (MCL) at all monitoring sites for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), a Federal drinking water standard was violated during the month of May 2017. The TTHM was calculated to be .081 mg/L. This value exceeds the maximum contaminant level of .080 mg/L set for this parameter. In everyday terms, this equals one millionth of a gram. Although this situation does not require that customers take immediate action, the customer has a right to know what happened, what they should do and what has been done to correct the situation.

The sample was taken at the very end of the system at the end of a street where there is no consumption of water. It also was at the farthest point from the water treatment plant. Samples taken from other locations within the system were found to be within range. The fact that the water in the line lies stagnant is felt to be a contributing factor in the reading.

Roane Central Utility has on order a device that will continuously circulate the water in the line, thus keeping the water and the treatment agents fresher at all times. As soon as they receive the device, it will be immediately installed and put into action. In conferring with other water systems, it appears that this is a very effective approach to solving the problem.

The operations staff at Roane Central Utility District is very confident that the water in the district lines is safe for consumption. The utility appreciates the seriousness of the situation, but feel that proper measures have been and continue to be taken to assure the safety of the water.

The letter goes on to tell customers that they do not need to boil their water or take other actions. If a customer has a specific health concerns, they should contact their doctor.