A February test revealed a disinfecting agent used at the Benton-Washington Regional Public Water Authority exceeded the federal limit meant to protect children and unborn babies, state and federal environmental officials said.

A chlorine dioxide reading Feb. 3 was nearly double the maximum allowed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but the reading was likely wrong, said Scott Borman, general manager.

"I don't believe we had a violation, but I can't prove it," Borman said.

Tests done Feb. 2 and later Feb. 3 show chlorine dioxide was well below the maximum of .8 milligrams per liter, or 800 parts per billion, according to a report provided by Borman. That same report was submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health this month.

The sample in question was taken about 1 a.m. Feb. 3, and showed 1.43 parts per million.

Excessive consumption of chlorine dioxide can affect the nervous systems of infants, young children and unborn babies, according to the EPA's website. The effects on nervous systems "would be seen after repeated consumption over a number of years," said Jennah Durant, spokeswoman for Region 6 of the EPA.

The authority uses the chemical to control organics and microbes. Normally, 0.5 parts per million of chlorine dioxide is put into Beaver Lake about seven miles away from where water enters the plant, Borman said. The chemical disinfects and is used to improve the taste of water, according to the federal agency's website.

State Health Department staff members think the authority's Feb. 3 reading is a "false reading," said Lance Jones, chief engineer at the department. The department regulates drinking water quality.

"The main issue here is they didn't do the follow-up sampling," Jones said. "They didn't do any follow-up to see if that reading is accurate enough. Since we don't know, we have to treat it like it (exceeded limits.)"

The operator in charge at the time didn't do a follow-up test when the reading showed higher than usual and didn't notify supervisors, Borman said.

"What we are being punished for is an operator not retesting a test result," Borman said.

Two employees were reprimanded for not following protocols, Borman said.

The Health Department issued the authority a violation notice Friday. By Monday, Borman said he notified the cities the authority serves. As part of meeting the requirements of the violation, the authority has purchased ads to notify the public about the incident, Borman said. The authority representatives plan to retrain operators and review testing procedures and drinking water standards, according to the public notice.

The violation came despite a monitoring system showing the chemical level was under the maximum set by the environmental agency, Borman said. The Hach Amperometric Chlorine Dioxide Sensor, which uses an ion-selective membrane, isn't recognized by the EPA, and results couldn't be used to refute the test findings, he said.

The authority hasn't been cited previously for exceeding the chlorine dioxide limit, Jones said. The state doesn't plan to fine the authority.

Borman said the water is safe. The chlorine dioxide, if there was any, never made it into drinking water or into the distribution system, he said. City leaders where the authority's water is used said they took the violation notice seriously, but believe the situation is under control.

The chemical never made it to Decatur's water tanks, "thank goodness," said James Boston, public works manager. It also never made it to Lincoln, said Chuck Wood, city manager. Wood and Boston plan to ask questions about the incident during a regular authority meeting this month.

Others were nonplussed by the reading and violation notice. The authority has taken care of the situation, and Bella Vista officials have no concerns about the incident, said Mike Taggart, water division director for the Property Owners Association of Bella Vista.

"We totally depend on them, and we are fine with what they've done," Taggart said.

NW News on 04/02/2014