MERCEDES — Residents clamored on Facebook after they received a letter from the city of Mercedes saying the drinking water levels over the summer months were below state quality standards.
Some asked for a chlorine generator while others wondered why this happened.
Jose Ramos, of CH2M Hill, the project manager who oversees the water system for the city of Mercedes, said the drinking water is back to normal.
Ramos said during the months of June and July, the chlorine level dropped below the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality standards.
“What happened was our chlorine residual in the distribution system dropped below TCEQ acceptable levels more than 5 percent for two months,” Ramos said. “We had (chlorine) 0.2 milligrams per liter and it’s required to be at 0.5 milligrams per liter.”
Chlorine-based disinfectants are used to destroy germs in drinking water. It provides a “residual” level of protection against water-borne pathogens.
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