IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Las Vegas (City Of) Has Levels of Total Trihalomethanes above Drinking Water Standards
Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.
We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Testing results show that our system exceeded the standard or maximum contaminant level (MCL), for Total Trihalomethanes during the 3rd quarter of 2024. The standard for Total Trihalomethanes is 0.080mg/L. The average level of Total Trihalomethanes in the first quarter is shown in the table below:
Sample Location | Sample Date | Quarter & Year | TTHMLRAA(mg/L) |
HAA5-1,Storrie Lake Park Bathroom | 8/22/24 | 3Q2024 | 90
|
TTHM-2, Mikes Precision | 8/22/24 | 3Q2024 | 83 |
What should I do?
• There is nothing you need to do. You do not need to boil your water or take corrective actions. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
• 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.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. However, some people who drink water containing Total Trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Additionally, some people who drink water containing Total Trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys or central nervous systems.
What is being done?
Due to the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon fire, our receiving streams (raw water) contain increased amounts of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC). Sodium hypochlorite is used in the treatment of water to kill disease-causing microorganisms. Trihalomethanes (TTHM) are a group of chemicals that can form when organic matter in water (TOC’s or DOC’s) are treated with disinfectants. Currently Water Treatment Plant Staff are using the least amount of Sodium Hypochlorite while still maintain adequate levels of disinfection residual and are working with our engineers on reducing TTHM’s using improved techniques and technology such as but not limited to: jar testing, enhanced coagulation, changes in operations, installation of new equipment, and additional treatment. In addition, as the temperature becomes colder there can be a reduction in TTHM’s. Increased TTHM’s may continue for a while. The city will continue working on addressing the removal of TOC’s, DOC’s, and the reduction of TTHM’s. The TTHM RAA trends for the Storrie location decreased from 0.090 mg/L in the 2nd quarter to 0.078 mg/L in the 3rd quarter & 4th quarter and increased to 0.084 in the 1st quarter of 2024. The TTHM RAA trends for the Mikes Precision location decreased from 0.087 mg/L in the 2nd quarter to 0.085 mg/L in the 3rd quarter to 0.082 mg/L in the 4th quarter and increased to 0.090 mg/L in the 1st quarter of 2024. The goal is to be under 0.080 mg/L for the running annual average. We anticipate resolving the problem by October 2025.
For more information, please contact:
Travis Martinez at 505-454-3832
Las Vegas (City Of), NM3518025
90512th Street, Las Vegas, NM 87701
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, 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.