THM fix in the works, along with vouchers

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

It’s a longstanding problem that hasn’t gone away but that’s about to change.

For several years, the City of Van Wert has dealt with higher than accepted levels of THM (total trihalomethanes) in the city’s drinking water. The EPA’s standard is 0.080 mg/L but at times, Van Wert’s levels have come in slightly above that. Notices sent out by the city have said the levels detected do not pose an immediate health risk. However, some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems.

Now, the Ohio EPA has approved plans for the city to address high levels of total trihalomethanes in the drinking water supply.

During Monday night’s Van Wert City Council meeting, council members approved an ordinance allowing Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming to seek bids and award and sign contracts for a project to fix the problem. Fleming said the work is expected to cost appromixately $2.1 million.

He previously explained that the state EPA is requiring the city to replace the gates on the reservoir structures, and noted there are three structures on each reservoir that allows water to come in for three different depths.

“The reason it’s so expensive is the sluice gates of that size are extremely expensive and it’s all going to have to be done with divers,” Fleming said. “We are excited to get this underway. We have already installed mixers in the water towers and have seen positive results. Not specifically with THMs, but our chlorine residuals have been much more stable and easier to control in the distribution system.

Fleming said if all goes as planned, work should start in September and last into next spring.

“The type of winter will have a lot to do with progress,” he noted.

During the administrative reports portion of Monday’s meeting, Mayor Ken Markward said beginning next month, the city will once again offer trash vouchers for use during the month of September.

Two years ago, the city offered a limited number of the vouchers at the Municipal Building, first come, first serve and one per household, which allow residents to dispose of a large item or a load free of charge at Young’s Waste. He noted that last year, 40 percent of the vouchers that were picked up went unused.

“You don’t have to rush right up,” Markward explained. “If you’re not sure you want to use one and it’s September 12th and you decide ‘I think I do want one’ you’ll still have time to come up and get one.”

Notices and more information will be included with August water bills

“You take your load to Young’s, that’s the same as last year, and it will list all the things you can’t take,” he explained. “If it’s not on the list, they’ll take it.”