THM levels lowered in city water supply during pilot study

Stock Photo

The City of Apalachicola recently concluded its 90 day pilot study approved in mid-June by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to determine the best course of action to lower Trihalomethanes (THM) in the city’s drinking water supply to acceptable state and federal levels.

City Administrator, Betty Webb told commissioners at their regular monthly meeting held October 7, that during the study preliminary test results from water samples taken on August 13 and September 30 at different locations in the distribution system showed lower levels of THM.

Monitored by the Florida Rural Water Association the pilot study entailed the injection of hydrogen peroxide into the distribution system to improve water quality by decreasing the levels of THM.  THM is a byproduct caused when chlorine is used as a disinfectant and combines with hydrogen sulfide, iron, and total organic carbon that’s naturally part of the Florida Aquifer.

Water customers will continue to receive notices until the city achieve successive and sustained decreases of THM through FDEP required water sampling.

To aid the process commissioners voted unanimously to continue the hydrogen peroxide injections as well as consented to an application for grant funding to purchase and permanently install a Calgon Granular Activated Carbon filtration system to help maintain the lower levels.  

The city will also continue to utilize aeration, filtering, sequestering and an aggressive flushing program to ensure the continual delivery of quality drinking water to its customers.