TCEQ – Maximum Contaminant Level

Mandatory Language for a Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
MCL, LRAA/ TTHM

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has notified the CITY OF PORT LAVACA TX0290002 that the drinking water being supplied to customers had exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has established the MCL for total trihalomethanes to be 0.080 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 total trihalomethanes indicates a compliance value in quarter two 2024 of 0.117 mg/L for DBP2-01, 0.107 mg/l for DBP-02, 0.114 mg/l for DBP_03, and 0.108 for DBP-04.

Trihalomethanes 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 organic matter in the water.

Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidney, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

You do not need to use an alternative water supply. However, if you have health concerns, you may want to talk to your doctor to get more information about how this may affect you.
We are taking the following actions to address this issue: The City is continually updating its flushing program and steps to reduce water age are currently in engineering. Additionally, the city is upgrading the water system to include more storage with aeration and a chlorine booster station.
Please share this information with all 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 William W. Shaffer at
361-552-3347.

Posted / Delivered on: 6-11-2024