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Noon Edition

Water Quality

glass of water

In January, Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton  announced that drinking water in Bloomington contains disinfectant byproducts, or DBPs. Elevated levels of DBPs are linked to health problems. Although the city says the amount of DBPs are not at a dangerous level, the announcement left many people concerned about their water quality.

The timing of the announcement may have added to the concern. Flint, Michigan made headlines with dangerous levels of lead in their drinking water. Last week, Eastern Howard Schools near Kokomo announced they found lead in their water as well.

Mary Hollingsworth, Drinking Water Branch Chief of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management says that if Hoosiers are concerned about their water, they should get it tested at a certified lab.

“Once you find out the quality of your water, at your residence, there are things you can do. There [are] filters you can put on; there’s softening, depending on what you find wrong.”

In addition, City of Bloomington Utilities Water Quality Coordinator Rachel Atz says not to consume hot water. Hot water tanks have the potential to expose water to metal and bacteria.

Hollingsworth also says that Hoosiers can do their part to prevent further contamination of water by not flushing pharmaceuticals or other chemicals down the drain.

“People need to realize they are the protector of this water. What they put in their water, they drink,” says Hollingsworth.

On the legislative side, House Bill 1082 has made its way to the State Senate. If passed, the bill would prohibit state environmental boards from making any rules or standards more stringent than federal environmental law. Indiana University Professor in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Maurer School of Law, Jim Barnes expressed concern that the bill could cause problems for local policy makers.

“I just find it a little discouraging that the state legislature would say that if the EPA hasn’t done anything, we don’t want to do anything about it, and if they have done something, we want to make sure that our officials who are charged with trying protect our health and wellbeing can’t do anything more restrictive than may have happened at the federal government,” he says.

In the meantime, Mayor Hamilton and the City of Bloomington Utilities are keeping a close eye on water quality and testing DBP levels monthly.

Our Guests

Jim Barnes, Professor, SPEA and Maurer School of Law

Mary Hollingsworth, Drinking Water Branch Chief, IDEM

Rachel Atz, Water Quality Coordinator, City of Bloomington Utilities

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