The water system serving the R.C. Willis Water Treatment Plant is in violation of public drinking water standards for the following reason: Samples from this system have exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and Haloacetic Acids ((five) (HIAA5s) for the compliance period of October & December, 2017.
This is not an immediate risk. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately.
Although this is not an emergency, our customers have the right to know what happened, what they should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.
The City of Palatka water supply is safe to drink and it is not necessary to boil the water before use. Other influencing factors can occur because of the container in which samples are collected, contamination at the hydrant outlet, or handling of samples. While the laboratory assumes a 5% error in testing, EPA rules do not take this into account. EPA requires notification as follows: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets drinking water standards and had determined that the presence of Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and Haloacetic Acids [5](HIAA5s) is a possible health concern. Any customers who are concerned about their exposure to DBPs may choose alternative sources of water for ingestion.
To read the complete Notice, which was mailed to all water utility customers in March, 2018, click HERE
In order to lower our DBPs levels, the City of Palatka has undertaken a Pilot Study utilizing hydrogen peroxide to help reduce the formation of THMs. For more information on the Pilot Study, read the Press Release HERE
For more information, please contact Kayla Wylie at (386) 329-0144, by e-mail at kwylie@palatka-fl.gov or contact the Department of Environmental Protection, Potable Water Section, at (904) 256-1700.