479) 738-6929

PUBLIC NOTICE

 

The HUNTSVILLE WATERWORKS is a public water system subject to regulation under
the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Those regulations require the notification of
customers whenever a violation occurs, and is the basis for the notice.

The annual average of quarterly samples of the level of haloacetic acid, a disinfection
by-product in the water exceeded the maximum contaminant level of 60 parts per billion
for the period from April 2026 through June 2026. The average level in your water for
site #348YD004 this period was 62 ppb.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets national standards for drinking water
and has established the maximum level for Haloacetic Acids at 60 micrograms per liter.
Haloacetic Acids are a group of by-product chemicals which are formed by the use of
chlorine in the treatment of drinking water. Disinfectants, such as chlorine, react with
naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter present in water to form chemicals
called disinfection byproducts (DBPs). EPA has determined that a number of DBPs are
a health concern at certain levels of exposure.

Some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over
many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. EPA has set standards to
limit exposure to trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, and other DBPs.

The Arkansas Department of Health has advised the water system that there is no
immediate health risk from consuming the water. Failure to meet this requirement does
not mean that the water is unsafe or that alternate sources of water should be used.

The water system has researched the cause of the high levels and determined that
improvements at the regional treatment plant likely led to elevated haloacetic acids in
the fall of 2025. No issues have been observed since that time.

Should you have any questions concerning this notice, contact the water system at
(479) 738-6929 or the Engineering Section of the Department of Health at (501) 661-
2623.

Information on drinking water can be obtained from the Engineering Section at (501) 661-
2623 and on the health effects of Haloacetic Acids from the Epidemiology Section at
(501) 280-4186.