DEHEC addresses Westminster water violation

DHEC is requiring Westminster to submit a corrective action plan to address a violation of the state’s drinking water regulations. The violation was uncovered last summer, but the corrective plan of action is a matter to be considered Thursday during a meeting of the board of the Department of Health and Environmental Control. The plan is to include steps to address the city public water system’s exceeding the maximum contaminant level for trihalomethanes (TTHM). TTHM is described as organic chemicals that form when disinfectants react with natural organic matter in the water. According to the action before the board, Westminster would have to pay a $4 thousand penalty if any requirement of the order is not met. In a public announcement last fall, Westminster addressed the issue when it said the problem developed in a large line that has few users. It said, “We have already resolved the problem and anticipate (test) samples to be within limits.”