When a town switches from one water supply to another, it’s expected that some people will complain about the taste of the new water. But when the whole town does it, then there is a serious problem. The town of Flint, Michigan used to be connected to Detroit’s water supply, but voted last year to draw water from the Flint River instead.
Residents complained about the taste, smell, and even the color of the new water. When the water was tested, it was found to have unacceptably high levels of trihalomethanes. Protesters came from both Detriot and Flint for a march to deal with water problems in both cities.
The city of Flint has agreed to install new carbon filters to fix the problem at a cost of $1.6 million dollars. But it is uncertain if that will fix the problem. While the Flint River does test negative for harmful bacteria, the river has been heavily polluted for years.
Trihalomethanes are a natural byproduct of water chlorination. When chlorine in water combines with organic material, these compounds are created. Many of them are considered carcinogenic at high levels. The EPA sets limits on the total number of trihalomethane compounds that can be present in drinking water.
Do you chlorinate your water supply? Are you concerned about the level of trihalomethanes that may be present in your water? Metro Water Filter can help you test your water and install filtration solutions that can eliminate these compounds. Call us for more information.