The City of Bonners Ferry water system recently tested high for haloacetic acids, which forms from chlorine disinfection products, however, this is not an emergency. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not specify any acute immediate health risks associated with this contaminant. 

Water does not need to be boiled, and if a situation arises where it is no longer safe to drink customers will be notified within 24 hours. 

Chlorine is the most common disinfectant used in water systems.

All disinfectants by necessity are reactive substances and produce by-products.  There is indication that the estimated risks to health from disinfectants and their by-products are significantly lower than the risks associated with inadequate disinfecting.

The standard for HAA5 or maximum contaminant level is 60 parts per billion and the city drinking water has tested at 61 parts per billion exceeding the standard by 1 part per billion.  This amount is determined by averaging samples collected over the last 12 months.

According to Bonners Ferry Assistant City Manager  David Sims, the city has changed the way it chlorinates when it back washes the filter and it has upgraded the chlorine contact chamber.  Sims said they are also doing more flushing of the lines to reduce the time the water sits in them.

“The system had a major upgrade three years ago,” said Sims.  “We chlorinate the water after we filter the water instead of before,  which reduces the amount of chlorine that is in contact with carbon compounds.”

What this means is when the water isn’t filtered, there is more bacteria in the water, and in order for the chlorine to do its job, it produces more by-product. Now the water is filtered first and then chlorinated after meaning the chlorine doesn’t have to work quite so hard therefore producing less by-product.