The City and Borough of Wrangell gave the public an update on the city's drinking water quality in a press release on Dec. 18. A few months ago, it was reported that Wrangell's drinking water contained excessive amounts of Haleoacetic Acids, or HAA5. Since then, the city has taken steps to bring the levels of HAA5 back down to allowable levels. According to their recent press release, acid levels have decreased, but still above allowable maximums as of October.
"The elevated level of HAA5s do not mandate additional testing," the press release reads. "However, the Borough conducted an additional voluntary testing in October and found the HAA5 level had dropped by 34 percent. Despite the significant drop, the level still exceeded regulatory maximums. Standard quarterly November testing was conducted but the lab mishandled the sample and another sample had to be taken. Wrangell is still awaiting the results of that test. The levels of HAA5 are expected to be even lower."
As previously reported in the Sentinel, back in October, HAA5s are a byproduct of organic material in the water supply being treated with chlorine during the disinfection process. In an email to the newspaper, Borough Manager Lisa Von Bargen wrote that the regulation limit for HAA5s is 60 micrograms per liter. In August, Wrangell's HAA5 level was 179.1 ug, she wrote. October test results showed levels down to 118.5 ug.
In response to going over regulatory limits, the water department took measures to lower the amount of organic material in the water. This included, according to the press release, slowing down the water treatment process to allow more contact time with the water for the ozonation and filtration systems.
According to the city's press release, the city will report November's test results once they are received. Von Bargen explained that the previous sample they sent for lab testing was put too close to ice for the trip south, and froze. This invalidated it for reporting purposes. Wrangell will also undergo extra testing in the months of January, March, and April.
In an interview with the Sentinel, Von Bargen said she believed test results will show Wrangell's HAA5 levels back below the MCL in the near future. However, she and the press release said that while the HAA5 levels will continue to decrease, because of the spike in August's levels, the average for 2020 will still exceed regulatory limits.
"Again, this is not an emergency," the press release reads. "In the event that disinfection byproducts ever reach an emergent level the City and Borough of Wrangell and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation will immediately work together on additional measures. That being said, Wrangell's water has HAA5 in it. We encourage anyone with concerns to filter water with a carbon-activated (charcoal) based filter."
In a Sept. 24 press release, the city said that those with a compromised immune system, have an infant or are pregnant, or the elderly may be at increased risk and should seek advice from their healthcare providers.
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