Continued water contamination is minimized

Found this article in the Dickinson Press today and worry about the minimization that is widespread regarding out drinking water in North Dakota

Published July 26, 2012, 12:00 AM

Regent water safe despite notice

Regent residents can continue to safely use their drinking water, even though a public notice has been issued indicating the city had three violations in the annual Drinking Water Compliance Report for 2011. The report was issued this month.

By: Betsy Simon, The Dickinson Press

The violations included microbiological violations, community water systems, public notification rule violations and failure to monitor/report major violations with Chloramine, which is a combination of chlorine and ammonia.

LeeAnn Tillotson, environmental scientist with the North Dakota Department of Health’s Division of Municipal Facilities Drinking Water Program, said it appears the city forgot to collect a sample, which she said isn’t uncommon.

“They just missed a sample and there hasn’t been any indication with past samples that the city has tested positive for bacteria,” Tillotson said. “The city appears to be back in compliance now though, so there is no need for people within the city to look for alternative sources of drinking water.”

Regent city auditor Karen Kouba said the violation was due to timing.

“We didn’t have a maintenance person for a while in 2011, and they were the ones who usually took the monthly water samples,” she said. “Then, when we did get the sample sent in it was on a Friday and they don’t take water samples on Fridays, but everything is good now and there are no problems with the water itself.”