New Brunswick Water Shows Elevated Levels of Organic Compound, TTHM

New Brunswick Water Utility said in a statement today they found elevated levels of trihalomethanes (TTHM) in the water supplies.

The acceptable level of TTHM in the water supplies is 80 parts per billion (ppb). Three of New Brunswick's eight test sites showed elevated levels: Sears, Hyatt Regency Hotel and the Public Works Building had levels of 88.94 ppb, 80.82 ppb and 81.89 ppb.

New Brunswick has implemented changes to the filtration process to reduce the amount of chlorine used, which would, in turn, reduce the amount of TTHM produced.

The city said that between these changes and the drop in temperatures as summer ends, officials have already observed much lower levels of TTHM.

Officials stressed that the notice was in the name of transparency, and public health was not in jeopardy. "This was not an emergency and you need not take any action," the statement read, "However, we believe that the public should be fully informed as to what happened and what the City is doing to rectify the issue."

TTHM is an organic chemical that can occur when the chlorine used in the water treatment process reacts with natural organic matter in water. Higher than usual temperatures, like those seen in the summer months, can increase the levels of TTHM.

For more information on drinking water in East Brunswick, you can contact Jennifer Bradshaw, Public Information Officer for the City of New Brunswick at (732) 745-5004.

Image via Eric Norris, flickr.