The Bristol County Water Authority is expected to issue a press release Thursday regarding a potential violation of Environmental Protection Agency trihalomethane regulations.

BCWA Executive Director Pamela Marchand addressed the issue at Wednesday night's board of directors meeting. She said that while the EPA previously required THM levels under an annual running average of 100 or 80 parts per billion, revised regulations limit levels to a running quarterly average of 80 parts per billion.

Ms. Marchand said she learned of the situation Wednesday morning and the BCWA has already received two tests this year exceeding this threshold while results are out on a third set of samples.

Ms. Marchand said THMs are formed over time by chlorine interacting with natural organics in a water supply. Ms. Marchand said chlorine is added regularly in summer months and samples are pulled from eight locations around the district four times a year.

Ms. Marchand said testing has shown long-term exposure to THMs can be a possible pre-cursor to kidney disease or cancer in animals.

Director Robert Allio said he was concerned with quelling the anxiety of ratepayers. He suggested the board prepare a press release. BCWA attorney Sandra Mack agreed.

Ms. Marchand also said steps to decrease THM levels are already contained in the BCWA's capital plan.

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