Sierra Madre : Chlorine for Water System
Chlorine may be added to Sierra Madre’s water system next month because of recent failures to meet new Environmental Protection Agency standards for coliform bacteria.
Although the water is not considered dangerous, testing standards that took effect in September require that 100% of the samples collected be free of coliform bacteria. Previously, standards allowed 10% of samples to be positive.
The city was fined $100 by the state in October because of bacteriological failures at the Oak Crest Drive sampling station, and chlorine was added to the system temporarily to kill the bacteria. At the time, the state ordered the city to commit permanently to chlorination.
City Public Works Director Kev Tcharkhoutian said residents are not accustomed to the taste and odor of chlorine in their water, which is extracted from mountains through Artesian wells.
The matter will again be discussed by the council at its Jan. 12 meeting.
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