IMPORTANT TYLER WATER UTILITY CONTACT NUMBERS
For Questions Concerning
Emergencies After 5 p.m., Weekends or Holidays
Billing or Account Information
Contact
Phone
Golden Road Water
Treatment Plant
(903) 597-6541
Water Business Office
(903) 531-1230
Water Service Center
(903) 531-1285
Water Utilities
Administration
(903) 531-1238
Assistance with Locating Existing Utilities or Service
Lines
Water Service Center
(903) 531-1285
Applying for a Water or Sewer Service Tap
Development Services
Department
(903) 531-1171
Water Leaks or Water Pressure Complaints
Sanitary Sewer Stoppages, Overflows or Odor
Complaints
Water Quality Complaints (taste, odor, color)
DEAR TYLER WATER UTILITIES WATER CUSTOMER,
Tyler Water Utilities would like to share with you some useful information about the City’s water system and
treatment methods. We also have information to share with you regarding recent test results which exceeded
current regulatory limits.
Tyler Water Utilities is dedicated to providing safe drinking water for the citizens of Tyler as we strive to maintain compliance
with both State and Federal regulations. Staff monitors the quality of the raw water coming into the plant for treatment, as
well as the quality of the treated water entering the distribution system around the clock.
On April 7, 2016, we were notified by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that we had exceeded the 2nd
quarter 2016 Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) based on a 4 quarter rolling average (Q3-15, Q415, Q1-16 and Q2-16) in three of our eight sampling locations. The MCL for HAA5 is established by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) at 0.060 mg/L, or 60 parts per billion (ppb). It is derived based on a rolling annual average. Analysis of
our drinking water for haloacetic acids (group of five acids) indicates a compliance value in the second quarter of 2016 of 64
ppb for Site 1, 61 ppb for Site 4 and 62 ppb for Site 5. We have included a section labeled “Understanding HAA5” to assist
our customers in better understanding the technical aspects and regulatory requirements related to haloacetic acids.
WHERE DOES TYLER’S
DRINKING WATER COME
FROM?
Surface Water – 96.1%
The City of Tyler’s primary source of drinking water is from
one of three lakes: Lake Tyler, Lake Tyler East and Lake Palestine. Lake Tyler is located on Prairie Creek, while Lake Tyler
East is located on Mud Creek. Both are part of the Angelina
River watershed. Water from Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East is
treated at the Golden Road Water Treatment Plant. Lake Palestine is located in the Neches River watershed. Water from
Lake Palestine is treated at the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant.
Sample Site
HAA5 (ppb)
MCL (ppb)
DBP-01
64
60
DBP-02
56
60
DBP-03
49
60
Groundwater – 3.9%
DBP-04
61
60
DBP-05
62
60
DBP-06
48
60
DBP-07
56
60
In addition to the lakes, the City uses eleven deep water wells
located throughout the City to supplement surface water supply. These wells pump water from the Carrizo Wilcox aquifer
at depths ranging from 600 to 1,100 feet below surface grade.
DBP-08
53
60
Copies of the City of Tyler’s Annual Drinking Water Quality Report can be found at
https://www.cityoftyler.org/Departments/TylerWaterUtilities/WaterProduction/
WaterQualReportsPublicNotices.aspx
UNDERSTANDING CHLORINATION
UNDERSTANDING HAA5
What is chlorination?
What are HAA5?
Chlorination is the process of adding either chlorine or
hypochlorite to water to kill bacteria, viruses and other
waterborne pathogens that are responsible for causing severe
acute illness in humans. Chlorine was first used for disinfection
in 1850 in London during the now-famous cholera epidemic. It
has been widely used as a disinfectant since the early 1900’s.
Chlorine revolutionized water purification and has reduced the
incidence of waterborne diseases, such as cholera, dysentery
and typhoid, across the western world. Millions upon millions of
lives have been saved from the implementation of water
disinfection.
When chlorine or chloramines are used for the disinfection of
water, a reaction occurs with naturally occurring organic
material in the water to create by-products known as haloacetic
acids (HAAs). Haloacetic acids are a collection of several
different compounds. HAA5 refers to the sum of the
concentration of five specific haloacetic acid compounds that
our water system is required to monitor.
What form of chlorine does Tyler use?
Typically, the City of Tyler uses a combination of chlorine and
ammonia, known as chloramine, as part of its disinfection
process.
Why does Tyler use chloramines?
Chloramines are more resilient and maintain disinfection
residuals in water lines and storage tanks for longer periods of
time. Additionally, they produce less disinfection by-products as
chloramines are less reactive with naturally occurring organics in
the water.
Periodically, the City temporarily turns off the ammonia feed in
its treatment process and switches to free chlorine rather than
chloramine. This standard industry practice is known as a “free
chlorine” conversion or a “burnout.” A “free chlorine”
conversion is implemented in order to eliminate or prevent the
growth or regrowth of biofilms that can form inside of the water
distribution pipes. These conversions typically last between 30
to 60 days.
What about other types of disinfection?
Other forms of disinfection processes exists, such as ozone or UV
treatment. However, the TCEQ requires that a disinfection
residual be maintained throughout the water distribution
system at all times. Treatment processes such as ozone and UV
do not produce a testable disinfection residual. Therefore, water
systems that use these other forms of disinfection in Texas must
still use chlorine or chloramines to maintain a residual in their
system.
A residual is a small concentration of chlorine or chloramine that
is left over after the disinfectant has reacted with and removed
harmful pathogens, organics and inorganic contaminants from
the water. The disinfectant residual is the portion left over in the
distribution system that protects our customers by ensuring
contaminants are swiftly inactivated or removed.
What is the maximum contaminant level
and who establishes it?
A Maximum Contaminant Level, or MCL, is the maximum
amount of a substance that is allowed in public water systems.
MCLs are established by the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and, in the State of Texas, are enforced by the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The current MCL
for HAA5 is 0.060 mg/l or 60 parts per billion (ppb).
What were the sample results for our
water?
Samples collected during the second quarter of 2016 resulted in
exceeding the rolling average requirement for HAA5 of 60 ppb at
three of our eight sampling locations. The second quarter rolling
average results are illustrated in the table below:
Sample Site
HAA5 (ppb)
MCL (ppb)
DBP-01
64
60
DBP-02
56
60
DBP-03
49
60
DBP-04
61
60
DBP-05
62
60
DBP-06
48
60
DBP-07
56
60
DBP-08
53
60
Note: A map is attached to the back of this brochure to assist
our customers in identifying the areas with elevated levels of
haloacetic acids.
WHAT IS THE CITY DOING TO REDUCE HAA5S?
The City of Tyler procured the services of Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd in December 2015 to conduct an independent evaluation of Tyler Water
Utilities (TWU) treatment processes and water quality in response to an HAA5 exceedance in 2015. Several recommendations were made in
their report to address elevated levels of disinfection byproducts, some of which TWU had already addressed or were in the process of
addressing. It is important to note that we have witnessed a large reduction in HAA5 levels since elevated levels were documented in the
Spring of 2015. However, the rolling average still remains elevated, as it accounts for those 2015 elevated samples. Samples collected by
the TCEQ’s contractor on April 7, 2016 for the second quarter of 2016 were all well below the MCL for HAA5 at all eight of our sampling
locations. This is evidence that our disinfection by-products are rapidly on a downward trend.
TWU continues to move forward with pH adjustment techniques at its’ Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant utilizing sodium hydroxide, and
is getting close to implementing the same form of treatment at its’ Golden Road Water Treatment Plant. Effective pH control is paramount in
our efforts to maintain the stability of our drinking water and to improve its overall quality.
La Comisión de Texas sobre calidad ambiental (TCEQ) ha notificado
a la ciudad de TYLER TX2120004 que el agua potable que se
suministra a clientes a superado el nivel máximo del contaminante
(MCL), Ácidos Halo acéticos (grupo cinco) (HAA5). La Agencia de
protección ambiental (US EPA) ha establecido el MCL para Ácidos
Halo acéticos (grupo cinco) 0.060 miligramos por litro (mg/L) basado
en localización corriente promedio anual (LRAA), y ha determinado
que es un problema de salud en niveles superiores a lo MCL. Análisis
de agua potable en su comunidad para Ácidos Halo acéticos (grupo
cinco) indican un valor de cumplimiento en el trimestre dos del
2016 64 ppb para DBP2-01, 61 ppb para DBP2-04 y 62 ppb para
DBP2-05.
Ácidos halo acéticos son un grupo de compuestos orgánicos
volátiles, se forman cuando el cloro añadido al agua durante el
proceso de tratamiento de desinfección, reacciona con la materia
que ocurre naturalmente en el agua.
Algunas personas que beben agua que contenga HAA5 en exceso de
MCL durante muchos años pueden tener un mayor riesgo de
contraer cáncer.
No necesita usar una fuente alternativa de agua, el agua sigue
siendo segura para beber. Sin embargo, si usted tiene problemas de
salud, puede que desee hablar con su médico para obtener más
información acerca de cómo esto le puede afectarte.
What affects the formation of HAA5?
to
Surface water sources (lakes) are much more likely to cause the
formation of higher levels of disinfection by-products than
groundwater. The natural characteristics of a surface water
source and the associated watershed, including topography, soil
conditions and vegetation, greatly influence water quality and
the potential formation of HAA5. Other factors include the pH
and temperature of the water.
Por favor comparta esta información con todas las personas que
beben el agua, sobre todo aquellos que no han recibido este aviso
directamente (es decir, personas en apartamentos, hogares de
ancianos, escuelas y empresas). Puede hacer esto mediante la
publicación de este aviso en un lugar público o distribuir copias a
mano o por correo.
Even at low levels, some customers may be sensitive to
chloramine and may experience skin or eye irritation, or they
may notice a chlorine taste or odor when others do not.
Customers may choose to purchase shower and faucet filters
that remove chloramines.
The City actively works to minimize the formation of disinfection
by-products. In addition to controlling the type and amount of
disinfectant that is used at the water treatment plants, the City
also closely monitors and controls the pH of the water that
leaves the plants. The City also has a flushing program to
maintain fresh water in the water distribution system.
Si usted tiene preguntas con respecto a este asunto, puede
contactar a Kevin Hukill al (903) 939-8716. Por español, (903) 5311230.
What can I
chloramines?
do
if
I
am
sensitive
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has
notified the CITY OF TYLER TX2120004 that the drinking water being
supplied to customers had exceeded the Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) for haloacetic acids (group of five) (HAA5). The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has established the
MCL for haloacetic acids (group of five) to be 0.060 milligrams per
liter (mg/L) based on locational running annual average (LRAA), and
has determined that it is a health concern at levels above the MCL.
Analysis of drinking water in your community for haloacetic acids
(group of five) indicates a compliance value in quarter two of 2016
of 64 ppb for DBP2-01, 61 ppb for DBP2-04 and 62 ppb for DBP2-05.
Haloacetic acids are a group of volatile organic compounds that are
formed when chlorine, added to the water during the treatment
process for disinfection, reacts with naturally-occurring matter in
the water.
Some people who drink water containing HAA5 in excess of the MCL
over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
You do not need to use an alternative water supply, as your water
remains safe to drink. However, if you have health concerns, you
may want to talk to your doctor to get more information about how
this may affect you.
Please share this information with all the people who drink this
water, especially those who may not have received this notice
directly (i.e., 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.
If you have questions regarding this matter, you may contact Kevin
Hukill at (903) 939-8716.