12/2/2024
WT Staff
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December 2, 2024 updated 1218 pm EST
Mystery toxin found in US drinking water identified
Safe Drinking Water Act
The EPA monitors novel contaminants of concern to maintain safe drinking water in the USA. A roster of contaminants of concern are studied extensively in the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring program, a five year intensive investigation to determine whether or not updates need to be made to the SDWA regulations. Following the latest five year testing cycle and announced earlier this year, a group of per- and polyfluoroalkyn (PFAS) substances were added to the list of contaminants that drinking water facilities must manage and maintain below an established maximum. In the last five year investigation cycle, a group of cyanotoxins were studied, the results of that process led to a Health Directive with no change made to the regulations.
Another group of contaminants, the toxic by-products formed when organic particles in raw water react with products used in the disinfection process were added to the SDWA regulations as far back as 1979. Chloroamines are used for disinfection of drinking water for more than 100 million US residents. See the history of the SDWA regulations concerning disinfection by-products, here.
A recent article published in the journal "Science" has identified and characterized what has so far been referred to as an unknown toxin. The article titled "Chloronitramide anion is a decomposition product of inorganic chloramines" by Fairey et el, (Nov 21, 2024 Science, Vol 386 Issue 6724, pp 882-887) at last identifies the unknown. According to the authors, the "chloronitramide anion" has been detected in US drinking water samples where chloroamines are used for disinfection, potentially impacting over 100 million people in the USA. Following more study by the EPA we may see this contaminant added to the SDWA By-products of disinfection rules in the future. More to follow.
Special Weather Statement issued by NWS Binghamton 917 am EST Mon Dec 2
AN AREA OF SNOW SHOWERS WILL AFFECT PARTS OF TIOGA AND BROOME
COUNTIES... An area of snow showers which can rapidly reduce
visibility to less than one mile. At 914 AM EST, an area of heavy snow was near
Union Center, or near Endicott moving southeast at 20 MPH.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
Binghamton, Vestal, Johnson City, Endicott, Kirkwood, Conklin,
Apalachin, Tioga Terrace, West Corners, and Union Center. This includes the following highway exits... Interstate 86/Route 17 between 66 and 71 South.
SAFETY INFO...Conditions can deteriorate rapidly in winter weather situations. Be
prepared for snow or ice covered roads. Slow down and allow extra
time to reach your destination.
Streamflow Situation from the network of USGS monitoring sites in NYS
Fair, 30 in NYC heading to a high 39 with mostly sunny skies. Light snow, 22 degrees upstate west, NWS Binghamton forecast office calling for a high 32 and 60% chance of snow showers. Arctic air will continue below normal temperatures across the eastern half of the U.S. through Tuesday with heavy lake-effect snow continuing downwind of the Great Lakes.
Safe Drinking Water Advisories
Orange County: Newburgh City has issued a BWA for customers connecting to potable water distribution lines located north of North Plank Road (Route 32) and East of Fostertown Road due to a major water main break yesterday.
According to the EPA Enforcement and Compliance History online, Newburgh City Water supplies 29,000 people from a surface water source in the Lower Hudson River watershed. Newburgh City indicates source water supply Washington Lake was replaced in 2016 by the New York Catskill aqueduct as a measure to address PFAS "forever chemical" contamination in Washington Lake. US EPA added six per and poly fluoro-alkine chemcials to the Safe Drinking Water Act regulation earlier this year. Drinking water facilities are required to meet new maximum contaminant levels set for these dangerous chemicals in drinking water. Facilities are adjusting to address the updated regulations by using alternate sources or implementing treatment technologies by 2029.
See our HAB season wrap up report for 2024, including an alphabetical list of the impacted water bodies, the date of first appearance of bluegreen confirmed and the total HAB reports confirmed for each water body this year, here.
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