Our water system recently exceeded a drinking water standard. Although this incident was not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we are doing to correct this situation.

In addition to testing for any bacteria in the distribution system, the water is also routinely tested quarterly, at various sites in the distribution system, for the presence of byproducts related to the disinfection process. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets standards for the maximum levels of both disinfectants and disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in drinking water. This includes substances known as trihalomethanes, collectively called total trihalomethanes or TTHMs.

The EPA Stage 2 DBP Rule, which went into effect in 2012, requires water systems to meet “locational” running annual averages (LRAA) for total TTHM at each of our six sampling locations. Under the current rule, the compliance limits for TTHMs are calculated by averaging the results over the last four quarters at each location. In Palm Bay, the LRAA results show that our system exceeded the maximum contaminant level for TTHMs at one location in the Town of Malabar with an LRAA of 80.67* ug/L after four quarters. Due to this exceedance in the 4th quarter, we anticipate our annual average will be above the standard as well and will require another notice to customers in March 2023. The standard for TTHM is 80 parts per billion (ppb). It is determined by averaging all the samples collected at each sampling location for the past 12 months.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? This is not an emergency. TTHM are four volatile organic chemicals which form when disinfectants react with natural organic matter in the water. Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the maximum contaminant level over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

WHAT SHOULD I DO? There is nothing you need to do. You do not need to use an alternative water supply such as bottled water, and you do not need to boil your water. However, if you have specific health concerns, please consult your doctor.

WHAT IS BEING DONE? We are working to minimize the formation of TTHM while ensuring we maintain an adequate level of disinfectant. We have taken additional steps to change disinfectant levels and contact time, remove natural organic matter, and increase flushing of water lines to determine if our efforts have been effective. In addition, our action plan involves making mechanical modifications at our treatment plant to assist in the reduction of TTHM.

QUESTIONS? Please contact us at 321-952-3410 or via email at water@pbfl.org. You may also write to Palm Bay Utilities Department, 250 Osmosis Drive SE, Palm Bay, FL 32909. Information and frequently asked questions are also posted on our web site at www.pbud.org.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

Public Notice TTHM December 2022 Report