Post by .:Lizz:. on Feb 13, 2007 20:07:41 GMT -5
Taken from the city of laredo archives
Public Health Notice Regarding Municipal Water Quality
Laredo, TX—Embargoed for Sun., Jan. 28, ‘07—Despite a public notice regarding an alleged water quality violation printed in the Legal Classifieds section of today’s Laredo Morning Times, City of Laredo officials want to assure citizens that the municipal water quality is safe for consumption and use.
On December 28, 2006, the Jefferson Water Treatment Plant failed to meet the minimum treatment technique requirements. Specifically, the water system failed to properly disinfect the drinking water for a period of more than four hours.
By state statute, a public notice must be printed to inform the community of possible contaminants.
According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, (TCEQ) which sets minimum water quality standards for public drinking water, including enforceable treatment technique requirements for drinking water, inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.
“Even though our water plant is alleged to have failed to meet minimum treatment requirements for a short while in latter December, this does not necessarily equate to microbial or germ growth,” said Dr. Hector F. Gonzalez, Director of the City of Laredo Health Department. “This is supported by our Health Department quality assurance testing findings that have shown no microbial growth in our drinking water that would cause adverse health effects. The City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) conducts quality assurance water testing, in addition to the City Utilities Department and the regulatory state agency, and has not found any positive results that would be a threat to the public’s health,” Gonzalez added. In fact, the city’s water quality tests and monitoring shows that the municipal water is safe for drinking. Additionally, CLHD’s active surveillance reporting system of doctors, hospitals and clinics has shown no rise in any reports of adverse health effects; in particular, gastrointestinal health disease.
By the CLHD’s calculations, if anyone had been exposed to any of the health risk as mentioned in the public notice, the exposure period and the possibility of getting sick has expired, as most symptoms would have manifested themselves already. Moreover, during the winter season, both seasonal viruses and bacteria (microbes) that cause flu, colds and other respiratory illnesses may also cause gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, headaches) in some persons. Concerned citizens should always seek medical attention when there is a concern, or for additional information on potential public health questions, please call the CLHD’s Epidemiology Division at 795-4950.
The cause for the alleged violation is a mathematical probability based on what is called the CT, or concentration time. This deals with a variety of factors, including temperature, the pH balance of the water and other such issues. Utilities Director Carl Schwing has confirmed that the problem was corrected and he has put in additional water quality tests to assure the community that their water system is in fact, safe for drinking and use.
As part of the treatment, there has been a change in disinfection methods for the water; however, the process is safe and meets all requirements as set forth by TCEQ.
City staff has 30 days to assess and review all test results, especially because there is an intricate quality assurance system between the Utilities and Health departments and TCEQ. Controls are in place to monitor and assess any finding. In fact, the City’s assessment did not match TCEQ’s results and therefore, further review was needed. That is precisely why there are separate controls to test the quality system. After the initial notice by TCEQ of an alleged violation, City staff at both the Utilities and Health departments responded by conducting additional surveillance, testing and monitoring. To date, all samples are negative.
Finally, the City of Laredo Utilities Department will continue to appropriately treat drinking water and both the Utilities and Health departments will continue to monitor drinking water quality to assure the safety and potability of Laredo’s drinking water supply. Residents who want more information about the nature and significance of this alleged violation, may contact the Utilities Director at (956) 721-2000.
Public Health Notice Regarding Municipal Water Quality
Laredo, TX—Embargoed for Sun., Jan. 28, ‘07—Despite a public notice regarding an alleged water quality violation printed in the Legal Classifieds section of today’s Laredo Morning Times, City of Laredo officials want to assure citizens that the municipal water quality is safe for consumption and use.
On December 28, 2006, the Jefferson Water Treatment Plant failed to meet the minimum treatment technique requirements. Specifically, the water system failed to properly disinfect the drinking water for a period of more than four hours.
By state statute, a public notice must be printed to inform the community of possible contaminants.
According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, (TCEQ) which sets minimum water quality standards for public drinking water, including enforceable treatment technique requirements for drinking water, inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.
“Even though our water plant is alleged to have failed to meet minimum treatment requirements for a short while in latter December, this does not necessarily equate to microbial or germ growth,” said Dr. Hector F. Gonzalez, Director of the City of Laredo Health Department. “This is supported by our Health Department quality assurance testing findings that have shown no microbial growth in our drinking water that would cause adverse health effects. The City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) conducts quality assurance water testing, in addition to the City Utilities Department and the regulatory state agency, and has not found any positive results that would be a threat to the public’s health,” Gonzalez added. In fact, the city’s water quality tests and monitoring shows that the municipal water is safe for drinking. Additionally, CLHD’s active surveillance reporting system of doctors, hospitals and clinics has shown no rise in any reports of adverse health effects; in particular, gastrointestinal health disease.
By the CLHD’s calculations, if anyone had been exposed to any of the health risk as mentioned in the public notice, the exposure period and the possibility of getting sick has expired, as most symptoms would have manifested themselves already. Moreover, during the winter season, both seasonal viruses and bacteria (microbes) that cause flu, colds and other respiratory illnesses may also cause gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, headaches) in some persons. Concerned citizens should always seek medical attention when there is a concern, or for additional information on potential public health questions, please call the CLHD’s Epidemiology Division at 795-4950.
The cause for the alleged violation is a mathematical probability based on what is called the CT, or concentration time. This deals with a variety of factors, including temperature, the pH balance of the water and other such issues. Utilities Director Carl Schwing has confirmed that the problem was corrected and he has put in additional water quality tests to assure the community that their water system is in fact, safe for drinking and use.
As part of the treatment, there has been a change in disinfection methods for the water; however, the process is safe and meets all requirements as set forth by TCEQ.
City staff has 30 days to assess and review all test results, especially because there is an intricate quality assurance system between the Utilities and Health departments and TCEQ. Controls are in place to monitor and assess any finding. In fact, the City’s assessment did not match TCEQ’s results and therefore, further review was needed. That is precisely why there are separate controls to test the quality system. After the initial notice by TCEQ of an alleged violation, City staff at both the Utilities and Health departments responded by conducting additional surveillance, testing and monitoring. To date, all samples are negative.
Finally, the City of Laredo Utilities Department will continue to appropriately treat drinking water and both the Utilities and Health departments will continue to monitor drinking water quality to assure the safety and potability of Laredo’s drinking water supply. Residents who want more information about the nature and significance of this alleged violation, may contact the Utilities Director at (956) 721-2000.
