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| Rocky Mount required to test for microorganism that may cause intestinal distress |
Staff Photo by Joel Turner:
Rocky Mount must collect additional samples of water from the Blackwater River, the source of the towns water supply. |
Monday, October 26, 2009
By JOEL TURNER - Staff Writer
Beginning next year, Rocky Mount will be required to collect additional samples of water from the Blackwater River, the source of the town's water supply.
The state Department of Health will require the town to collect 24 samples over a two-year period for Cryptosporidium analysis, according to Bob Deitrich, water plant superintendent.
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic organism found in lakes and rivers that causes acute intestinal distress that can be fatal to immuno-compromised people.
"It is also highly resistant to chlorine," Deitrich said.
The sampling for Cryptosporidium is required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. All water systems in Virginia that utilize surface water as their water source must do the sampling.
The cost for each test is approximately $400, Deitrich said.
Because of the complexity of the test, he said, no local or regional labs are offering the service.
Deitrich said he has secured bids from three certified labs that regularly perform this specific testing.
Scientific Methods, Granger, Indiana, will do the sampling and testing for $10,000, he said.
Town council agreed to pay for the sampling with funds from this year budget year's contingency.
The sampling must begin by February 2010.
On another water matter, town council voted to accept a $4,918 grant from the state Health Department for the purchase of fluoridation equipment for the water treatment plant.
Deitrich said the treatment plant's fluoridation equipment if getting old and needs to be replaced. |
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