West Columbia water problem fixed, officials say
The latest contamination found in West Columbia water is cleaned up, officials said Thursday.
Reduction of haloacetic acids through changes in disinfection “have been encouraging,” said Robert Yanity, spokesman for the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Levels of the contaminant have been reduced by nearly two-thirds in tests taken through last week, city spokeswoman Anna Huffman said.
DHEC officials continue to review conditions as a precaution.
The acids are a long-term cancer threat if levels stay high, but water supplied by the city always has been safe to drink, officials said.
More than 3,000 customers of Carolina Water Service – a private utility that gets its water from the city – are receiving notices about the problem sent to others a month ago.
The city supplies water to about a fifth of Lexington County’s 280,000 residents.
Tim Flach: 803-771-8483
This story was originally published August 18, 2016 at 3:22 PM.