The drinking water in Lorena has exceeded a contaminant level that when drank in excess could lead to problems with the liver, kidney, and central nervous systems.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) let the City of Lorena know that the water supplied to customers was contaminated with trihalomethanes.
According to the TCEQ, trihalomethanes are organic compounds that form when chlorine “added to the water during the treatment process for disinfection, reacts with” organic matter found in the water.
Kevin Neal, the Lorena Public Works Director, said trihalomethanes are in all treated water, but when levels of the contaminate reach a certain level, the city is required to notify its customers.
This notice is the fourth one the city of Lorena has received in a year.
The TCEQ said that residents do not need to find an alternative water supply but should contact their doctor if any health concerns develop.
"It's a very small amount. However if someone feels they're affected by these they should contact their physician because each person's immune system is affected differently by different things," Neal said.
The City of Lorena is changing its method of disinfection to reduce the trihalomethanes in the water supply. Neal said they city is waiting for the city council and the city manager to approve the final plans.
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