BY MADISON MOONEY

After years of documented water quality problems in Martin County, new University of Kentucky research shows that levels of disinfection byproducts in local tap water are comparable to those found in many systems across the region and nation, according to results of a multi-year study presented to residents this month.

In 2019, the University of Kentucky conducted a one-year study to test the drinking water in homes in Martin County. During this study, tap water from 97 randomly selected homes throughout the county was tested for a wide variety of parameters, including pH, metals, chlorine, conductivity, bacteria and disinfection byproducts (DBPs).

The only concern was DBPs, which were found to be high in 35% of the homes, mainly in the summer and early fall.

DBPs are formed when chlorine, which is used to kill germs (disinfection) in drinking water, combines with natural organic matter like decaying vegetation.

In 2021 UK began a longer study in which 24 citizen scientists from the county volunteered to send monthly samples from their homes to UK for testing for DBPs. Citizen scientists in Letcher County, Kentucky, also collected samples to help the researchers compare a similar water system.

On Nov. 3 at the Martin County Senior Citizens Center, the results of the Mountain Drinking Water Project (MDWP) were presented to residents and livestreamed on Facebook by the Mountain Citizen. On Nov. 13, the results were presented in Letcher County.

The presentations covered what DBPs are, how they form, the possible health effects, and how to reduce exposure within your home and throughout the water system.

DBPs are a common problem in drinking water systems across the United States because disinfection is essential and chlorine is the most commonly used disinfectant.

Monthly tap water sampling for total THMs was evaluated in Martin and Letcher counties, and no specific area of either county was found to have higher concentrations. However, as in the 2019 study, THMs change in concentration throughout the year, with higher levels often observed in late summer and fall. This could be attributed to increased temperatures and lower rainfall, leading to higher concentrations of natural contaminants such as algae and higher bromide levels in the source water.

Regulatory data submitted by utilities for surrounding systems also reported THM concentrations similar to those in the regulatory data for Martin County and Whitesburg.

Although Martin County had a long history of DBP violations, the new findings, together with the 2019 study, show that current DBP levels are comparable to those in many systems across the region and the nation, particularly those that rely on similar, cost-conscious disinfection methods.

This study is putting Martin County at the forefront of the work to improve drinking water nationwide by learning what can be done to reduce levels and exposure to DBPs.

You can reduce your exposure to DBPs by ensuring your home has proper ventilation and by using water filters rated to remove DBPs. Water utilities can also take steps to minimize DBPs by changing the chlorination point (which Martin County did in 2017), using different filter media to reduce the amount of organics (which Martin County is now working on), increasing aeration, reducing holding in tanks, conducting targeted flushing of lines and reducing water leakages to lessen the requirement for pumping and to provide the operators more flexibility for flushing. These are all steps that Martin County Water District is working toward.

The next steps in the MDWP are to reduce exposure to and health effects from disinfection byproducts by developing and distributing air sampling reports and conducting computer model workshops with utility staff.

During both community meetings reporting the results of the Mountain Drinking Water Project, these were some of the comments made by residents.

“I used to feel uncertain about our water here, but coming to this meeting, I feel more aware about our water and more secure about our water.”

“This information and presentation are extremely helpful and everyone in this community needs to hear this information.”

“Knowing that Martin County’s water is not toxic and seeing science to back it up is really powerful.”

We want to hear from you.

The University of Kentucky researchers came to Martin County in response to the outcry from our Concerned Citizens meetings, where people voiced their concerns. On Dec. 9, starting at 5:30 p.m., at the Martin County Senior Citizens Center, Martin County Concerned Citizens is teaming up with LiKEN to host a community meeting to hear from you about current water concerns and your visions for solutions.

LiKEN Knowledge will also present the Water Pressure Project, which will showcase years of committed research, deep listening, and community involvement in understanding the water stories of Martin and Harlan counties and how these communities’ water systems can become more resilient.

We hope that Martin County residents will come out to raise awareness, provide education, create opportunity, and foster growth for our water story and our community’s livelihood.

Madison Mooney is a LiKEN community care coordinator based in Martin County.