Great Barrington — At their second informational meeting for the year, on Wednesday, November 8, Housatonic Water Works representatives said that they have adjusted their chlorine treatment system to deal with haloacetic acids (HAA5) in the water supply.
HWW has dealt with problems with HAA5 in its water supply for quite some time. Back in early August, the state’s Department of Environmental Protection sent a letter to HWW stating that the company violated the state’s Disinfection Byproducts Rule for HAA5 for the fourth quarter of 2022, as well as the first and second quarters of 2023.
At the informational meeting on November 8, company consultant Rich Gullick said that the company’s water supply is currently in compliance with state-mandated levels of HAA5.
HWW Treasurer James Mercer said that the company uses a slow sand filtration system, which was built in 1939, along with a chlorine disinfection system in order to treat the water. “We use as few chemicals as possible,” Mercer said. “At this point, we’re only using chlorine to disinfect the water. Once the water goes through the slow sand filter and chlorine is added, it goes to a large chamber where chlorine is mixed into what is called a ‘Clearwell.’ Over a period of time, the chlorine mixes with the water, disinfecting it.”
Gullick said that, in response to MassDEP’s requirement “to do something other than wait for the water to return to normal” in response to high levels of HAA5, the company has installed a second chlorine feed in its water system. “We’re going to use that to boost the chlorine level that comes after [water goes into] a storage tank at the end of a treatment plant,” Gullick said. “What this will do will allow us to reduce the chlorine that is injected in the water after the slow sand filters. It will reduce what is called the ‘CT,’ which is the concentration of the chlorine times the contact time. You need a certain amount of CT per the regulations for a given temperature. You will be able to reduce the CT as the chlorine goes through the treatment plant by about two-thirds, which is a huge decrease.”
Previously, the company announced that it would install greensand filters for manganese removal. At the same time, the company announced it would be seeking a rate increase with the Department of Public Utilities, with the rate increase going to a public hearing in late September.
At the Nov. 8 meeting, Gullick declared that HWW’s water quality is “typically very good.” “Long Pond is an excellent source of water, I believe Housatonic is very lucky to have that as a source for their water,” Gullick said. “I’ve been out on the reservoir, and it is spotless water. It is really clear and clean looking, and it’s really a good supply.” Long Pond is the primary source for HWW’s water to its customers.
In a previous letter to customers back in January, the company noted, “Some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids over the [Maximum Contaminant Level] over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. In addition, young children (including infants), pregnant women, or those who may become pregnant may be potentially more susceptible to risks from exposures to chemicals, such as HAA5.”
However, at the Nov. 8 meeting, Gullick seemed to try to downplay the effects of HAA5 on people. “So how dangerous are haloacetic acids?” Gullick asked before quoting from a MassDEP fact sheet. “[Haloacetic acids] are considered that possibly, not definitely, but possibly carcinogenic based on evidence in laboratory animals and based on evidence with people. [MassDEP] mentioned that at really high levels of HAA5 and other disinfection byproducts, there are some effects reported in experimental animals. But those effects are really still uncertain because some reports have similar effects and others don’t. The folks are still working to address the differences that have come up as a precautionary approach.”
View the Housatonic Water Works virtual informational meeting on Wednesday, November 8 below:
In other news concerning HWW:
A scheduled meeting on Thursday, November 9—which was to be held between the Selectboard, Board of Health, and members of the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards—was canceled due to a lack of internet access at Town Hall. The lack of internet meant that town officials could not broadcast the meeting via Zoom.
The town announced on Tuesday, November 7 that it has started its reimbursement fund for HWW customers who have paid for the purchase and installation of water filtration systems, bottled water, and laundry related expenses. The state set aside the $250,000 for the town, which will be used for the reimbursement fund, resulting in a reimbursement of $300 per household. An application for the fund can be found on the town’s website.
