Hurley seeks to identify source of contaminants in city water

HURLEY — Residents of the city of Hurley recently received letters that their drinking water contains contaminants that violate state and federal regulations and may be cancer-causing if consumed over many years.

The levels of Tribalomethanes and Haloacetic acids in the Hurley water system are exceeding standards, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The samples were taken on Aug. 24.

The letter to city residents said they do not need to drink only bottled water, unless they have specific health concerns identified by doctors, and there is no “immediate” health risk from the water.

“Some people who drink water containing Tribalomethanes in excess of the maximum contaminant level over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer,” the letter said. It was signed by Gary Laguna, Hurley department of public works water operator.

The risk of cancer is for people who drink the contaminants “over many years,” the notice says.

The letter indicates the water distribution system will be evaluated, including the storage tank, distribution system flushing, sources of supply and treatment processes.

Hurley purchases its water from both Ironwood and Montreal and residents there have not received similar notices.

Steven Elmore, of the WDNR, told Wisconsin Public Radio that the chlorine that interacts with organic matter in the water supply system can produce chemical by-products like those mentioned in the letter. He said the health risks are long-term.

Laguna told WPR that he expected to have results of samples taken from both Ironwood and Montreal by the middle of this month.

He said Hurley passed drinking water tests in February and May.

In the past, Laguna told the city council that the fact that three or four major users, such as the former Hurley Inn and grocery store, are no longer using water may be causing some stagnation in the distribution system.

Recently, the city received a D grade from the DNR for its utility collection system, while the financial management of the sewer-water account was graded with an A.

A wastewater collection system compliance maintenance annual report to the state is a requirement by the end of the year.

Drinking water in the United States is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act that is designed to protect quality. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to establish and update specific standards for drinking water quality and is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.

According to the WDNR, the department may require the water supplier to submit a report which assesses the cause and significance of the contamination problem.