You may have received a notice or seen the story on WLOS about how annual average compliance levels of total organic carbon (TOC), a naturally occurring substance found in water, were above acceptable levels in Weaverville water. Though TOC itself isn’t harmful, it does provide a medium for the formation of byproducts which may be harmful. I haven’t yet received a copy of the actual notice sent to town residents, but I was forwarded this, which Town Manager Mike Morgan tells me is the same information provided in that notice. It also includes contact information for Ivy River Water Treatment Facility Operations Manager Tony Laughter, who I understand is happy to speak with anyone who may have concerns. Specific health issues or concerns should probably be brought to the attention of your own doctor.

Mayor Root also sent me this message:

The Town became aware of this problem after the Ivy River reached record low levels in the fall of 2008.  Upon learning of the problem the Town began working on a solution and since last spring the TOC levels in the water have been below even the stringent standards set by the state. The Notices of Violation, issued on October 9 and October 13, are for annual averages which include fall 2008, and relate back to the problems that have been addressed. The town has no reason to believe that a public risk was created while our treatment process was adjusted to meet the new conditions created by the drought, because the TOCs are not harmful in and of themselves, and no harmful byproducts formed.

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1. 
   Dan Calloway says:

   I featured a republication of the notice on my blog as well.

   November 22nd, 2009 at 12:03 pm

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