Tewksbury Reports High Trihalomethane Level In Water

TEWKSBURY, MA — Tewksbury's drinking water recently violated a state contaminant standard, the town reported Thursday.

Tewksbury water was on average 88 parts per billion trihalomethanes in 2021, above the state maximum contaminant limit of 80 parts per billion.

The high level of the contaminant was found in tests from Nov. 5, 2020 to Aug. 5, 2021.

The high trihalomethane level is "not an emergency" and does not require any changes on the part of customers, the town said.

"You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions," the town said. "If a situation arises where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours."

Some residents should talk to their doctors, however: "If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers about drinking this water," the town said.

"TTHM are four volatile organic chemicals which form when disinfectants react with natural organic matter in the water," the town said. "People who drink water containing TTHMs in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer."

More information on the chemical is available here from the state.

"The Tewksbury Water Treatment Plant has implemented multiple processes to address this issue including: adjusting chlorine dosage, regular basin cleaning, and a preventative maintenance plan for our aeration system which is proven to reduce TTHMs," the town said. "Following the most recent sampling event in November 2021, the TTHM values are below the 80 PPB limit, however the annual running average still exceeds the MCL set forth by the state."

Anyone with questions should contact Town Chemist Melissa Woodbury at 978-858-0345 or
[email protected].