CITY OF MANSFIELD
NOTICE TO WATER CUSTOMERS
The Mansfield Water System is currently in violation of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes as set forth by the State [Part XII of the Louisiana State Sanitary Code (LAC 51:XII)] and the Federal Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141).
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDHH) set drinking water standards and requires the disinfection of drinking water. Where disinfection is used in the treatment of drinking water, disinfectants combine with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter present in water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts (DBPs). EPA and LDH set standards for controlling the levels of disinfectants and DBPs in drinking water, including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acid (HAAs). Some people who drink water containing THMs in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
In December 1998, EPA set enforceable drinking water standard for TTHMs at 80 parts per billion (ppb) and for HAA5 at 60 parts per billion (ppb) to reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health effects. Compliance with the TTHMs and HAA5 standard for public water systems serving less than 10,000 individuals initially became effective and enforceable on January 1, 2004. Compliance with the TTHMs standards are determined by calculating a locational running annual average (LRAA) of quarterly TTHMs sample results. Compliance calculations performed for the fourth quarter of 2023 show that the system’s current TTHMs LRAA are 102 ppb at DBP01 – INT Starks & Park SW CNR (7UWB) and 82 ppb at DPB03- Highway 175 South; Thus, the system is currently in violation of the TTHMs standard.
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.
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. EPA and LDHH do not consider this violation to have any serious adverse health effects on human health as a result of short-term exposure; however, continued long term exposure to TTHMs and HAA5 levels above the standard (e.g., 20 years of exposure) has the potential to have serious adverse effects on human health.
An increase in the frequency of flushing in low-flow areas, on dead-end lines and at the far ends of our water distribution system. In addition, more frequent, routine draw-downs are being performed at our Water Storage Tanks to help eliminate stagnant water and maintain fresher water in our distribution system.
If you have questions, please call Tarus Chatman, Public Works Director, at Mansfield City Hall (318) 872-0406.
Tarus Chatman, Public Works Director
Thomas Jones, Jr., Mayor