On July 7, drinking water testing results at Moore Elementary School had levels of Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) above drinking water standards. The standard for TTHMs is 80 parts per billion (ppb). TTHMs were found at a level of 138 ppb.

The state Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Safe Drinking Water, provided Northampton Area School District with a document titled “Chemical or Radiological Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) Exceedance” describing the situation, what needs to be done by the school district, information for anyone who attends the school or enters the building and a contact person and phone number to call for more information.

The designated person to call, as printed on the state’s document, declined to provide any information. Prior to terminating the call, he referred The Press to the school district. He noted he is only a “contractor.” When The Press pointed out he is the designated person to provide information, he terminated the phone call.

Joseph Kovalchik, NASD superintendent of schools, informed The Press the water situation has occurred in the past. The elevated result is from inactivity at the school over the summer. He noted the school relies on well water. When school ends in June, the well water essentially sits and is not circulating, so the trihalomethanes level rises. The notice from the DEP gets posted on the school entrance doors.

According to the document, the water will be tested around Oct. 7. It is anticipated, according to Kovalchik, the level will return to a nonexceedance level by the next testing date. He noted NASD has been transparent dealing with any potential safety issues no matter their size or impact.

In the “What should I do?” section of the document, it says,“There is nothing to do. You do not need to boil your water or take any corrective action. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your physician.”

Trihalomethanes are formed by the reaction of chlorine with naturally occurring organic material. These compounds can form during the process of treating drinking water. The primary trihalomethanes are chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochchloromethane and bromoform.

For more information, visit knowyourh2o.com or call NASD. The DEP’s Bureau of Safe Drinking Water can be contacted by visiting dep.pa.gov.