Dear Members of the Sugarloaf Water Association,
I hope this message finds you well. I want to address the recent Drinking Water Notices you received from the Sugarloaf Water Association regarding exceedances of the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for total haloacetic acids (HAA5) in our drinking water. These notices pertain to the 4th quarter of 2023 and the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2024.
Why You Received Three Notices at Once
You may be wondering why you’re receiving multiple notices simultaneously. This is due to an administrative oversight on the part of the Maine Drinking Water Program (DWP), which did not send out the violation notices for the earlier quarters when the exceedances occurred. While this delay was unintentional, we are providing all three notices together now to keep you fully informed. We apologize for any confusion or concern this may cause.
Understanding the Issue
We want to provide you with a clear understanding of the situation and the steps we are taking to address it.
What Are Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)?
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) are byproducts formed when disinfectants like chlorine—used to make water safe from harmful microorganisms—react with natural organic matter in the water. Long-term exposure to HAA5 levels above the MCL may increase the risk of certain health issues, such as cancer.
What Is Total Organic Carbon (TOC)?
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) refers to the amount of organic compounds present in water, originating from natural sources like decaying plant material. High TOC levels increase the potential for disinfectants to form byproducts like HAA5.
When Do Elevated HAA5 Levels Occur?
Elevated levels of HAA5 occur under specific and infrequent conditions:
• Supplementing Well Water with Surface Water: We primarily rely on well water, but during times of increased demand—such as peak ski weeks—we supplement our supply with surface water from the river.
• High TOC Levels Due to Weather Events: Elevated HAA5 levels happen when the river’s Total Organic Carbon (TOC) levels are high, which typically occurs after extreme weather events that introduce significant amounts of organic matter into the water.
Here’s some important context:
• Limited Surface Water Usage: In the last 665 days, we have treated surface water on only 150 days, accounting for less than 25% of our total water production.
• Rare Instances of High TOC Levels: Among those 150 days, only a few days likely had TOC levels exceeding our treatment capabilities. These instances are rare and usually follow significant weather events.
• Minimal Impact on the Overall Water Supply: As a result, only a small percentage of our total water produced had the potential to contain HAA5 levels above the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), indicating a minimal impact on our overall water supply.
Water Consumption Patterns
According to an EPA report on household water use, only 1 to 3% of tap water is used for drinking and cooking, while the vast majority is utilized for purposes like bathing, cleaning, and irrigation. This usage pattern helps ensure that on the historically rare occasions when our treatment process has failed to adequately remove TOCs, the water with potentially elevated HAA5 levels is quickly replaced by higher quality water, with only a fraction being consumed.
Current Water Quality Update
I am pleased to report that our 2024 3rd quarter results show HAA5 levels below 5 ppb, bringing our annual running average below the MCL. Despite the exceedances during the quarters for which the notices were issued, our recent quarterly results have significantly lowered the average HAA5 levels.
Why Does the Average Remain High Despite Lower Quarterly Results?
• Annual Running Average Calculation: The annual running average for HAA5 is calculated based on the results from the most recent four quarters. This means that each new quarterly result replaces the oldest one in the calculation.
• Impact of Previous High Levels: Earlier quarters with higher HAA5 levels continue to influence the annual average until they are phased out of the four-quarter calculation window. Even though our recent quarterly results are lower, the average may not decrease significantly until the older, higher results are no longer included.
• Gradual Improvement Reflection: As we continue to produce lower HAA5 results in subsequent quarters, the annual running average will begin to reflect these improvements more noticeably.
We want to be candid and transparent: while levels above the MCL did occur, they were rare and short-lived. We do not wish to minimize the health risks associated with HAA5, but it’s important to note that these exceedances were isolated incidents involving a small fraction of our water supply.
Steps We’re Taking to Continue Improvement
We are committed to ensuring this positive trend continues. Here’s what we’re doing to reduce disinfection byproducts:
• Optimizing Treatment Processes: We are closely monitoring Total Organic Carbon (TOC) levels and working diligently to remove TOC from our raw surface water. By optimizing our treatment process, we minimize the formation of HAA5 before disinfection.
• Collaborative Efforts with Experts: Our partnership with Dirigo Engineering has enabled us to implement effective strategies for improving our water quality.
• Collaborating with Sugarloaf Mountain Operations: We are working together with Sugarloaf Mountain Operations to provide higher quality source water for the entire resort community, enhancing the quality of everything we do.
• Prioritizing Well Water Sources: Whenever possible, we prioritize using well water over surface water to reduce the potential for HAA5 formation.
• New 300,000-Gallon Reservoir: By storing well water, we can reduce the need to treat surface water during times when the river has undesirable Total Organic Carbon (TOC) conditions.
Your Health and Safety
Your health and safety are our utmost priority. While the elevated HAA5 levels were infrequent and involved a small portion of our water supply, we understand that any MCL exceedance can be concerning.
If you have specific health concerns—especially if you are pregnant, have a compromised immune system, or have young children at home—we recommend consulting your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
For more detailed information, you can visit the Maine Drinking Water Program’s website at www.medwp.com.
Looking Ahead
As we diligently work to resolve this challenge, we are hopeful that the small percentage of our water contributing to an annual running average above the MCL for HAA5 is not among the 1 to 3% being consumed. Rest assured, we are taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and quality of your drinking water.
Contact Us
We value open communication and encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns. To help us respond with the appropriate information in a timely manner—and to minimize interruptions to our important work of maintaining water quality—we kindly ask that you contact us via email at [email protected].
Thank You for Your Support
We appreciate your understanding and patience as we continue our efforts to provide the highest quality drinking water for our community. We remain committed to addressing these challenges transparently and effectively.
Best regards,
Eric Copeland
Superintendent, Sugarloaf Water Association 5005 Iron Brook Road
Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947