He and Dr. Scott both noted the risks from trihalomethanes are much lower than risks associated with bacteria, such as E. coli. An outbreak of that bacteria in Walkerton, Ont., in late May caused six deaths. Liverpool's water supply had the second highest average level of trihalomethanes at 239.8 parts per billion, although the level decreased with each test from the 390 parts per billion in September. Christopher Clarke, mayor of the Regional Municipality of Queens, said he was pleased with the decrease and also reminded the 3,500 or so Liverpool municipal water users that bacteria like E. coli is worse than trihalomethanes. Mr. Clarke said the region won't be able to pour money into water treatment until next year at the earliest.
Money is a huge obstacle for many smaller municipalities that want to improve their water supplies.
They usually end up raising at least part of it from water users. That's what about 25,000 water users in Glace Bay, Reserve Mines, and Dominion will see over the next year and a half with the construction of a new water treatment facility, which starts this fall. Dr. Scott said people concerned about trihalomethane levels in their water can use charcoal filters or drinking bottled water. The first round of tests in September found 18 of 56 municipal water supplies had trihalomethane levels higher than 100 parts per billion. At the time, Judique had the highest at 453 parts per billion, but has since reduced that figure to less than one after changing its treatment technique.