Our water has excessive amounts of fine sediment. Most of these particles range from 0.5 - 5.0 microns in size. They are protected by tough leathery shells, making them very resistant to chlorine disinfection. During the spring of 1993 in Milwaukee, an estimated 400,000 people became ill and 100 people died due to an outbreak of cryptosporidia in the municipal water.
Chlorine byproducts are a potential risk in our water.
These chemicals which are often present in our drinking water, are known carcinogens. Some factors that effect THM formation in Vancouver include the contact time or residence time of water in the mains, chlorine levels, and the nature of the organic matter in the water. Fecal coliform bacteria are a potential risk in our water. Warm water temperatures, especially in the summer, can lead to bacterial regrowth between treatment stations and your tap. High coliform levels indicate that pathogenic bacteria may be in the water.