What's in your Drinking Water?
| Published 11/12/04

Graphic by: Ande Hearn

Do you know what's in your drinking water? It was just released that Radford tested its water system from Oct. 1, 2003 to Sept. 30, 2004 and have found that Radford's water has been contaminated. Radford exceeded the four quarter Primary Maximum Contaminant Level by .003 mg/L. The maximum acceptable amount of Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) is .060 mg/L; Radford showed a reading of .063 mg/L.

Haloacetic Acids are put in water to help the disinfectant process. Some people who have been drinking water that is over contaminated with Haloacetic Acids over many years time have been said to be more at risk for certain types of cancer.

The City of Radford sent letters out to everyone in the area who might be drinking this contaminated water. Although the water is contaminated, Radford wants all of its citizens and the students of RU to know that it is not showing an immediate risk to those who consume the water. If there was a higher risk, they would have notified consumers as soon as possible.

Testing will continue from October through December 2004 which was set to the fourth quarter of this test. Those who have consumed the water are to not worry; but for those with questions, please contact Lawrence Rice at (540)731-3662.

This is more of a warning to let residents know what is going on. Drinking the water in the past will not put you in any harm, but the City of Radford is working to get the water levels correct so it will hold no future danger for consumers.