May 9--JACKSON COUNTY -- Gulf Park Estates residents have been exposed to contaminated water, prompting the company that provides it to issue a warning this week about the potential health risks.
Total Environmental Solutions Inc., says the water is fine to drink, though its May 5 memo, with standard wording mandated by the state Department of Health, mentions cancer and kidney, liver and central nervous system problems if the water is consumed over several years.
"The reason for the high reading had to do with high levels of chlorination to disinfect the water," TESI assistant manager Steve Jones said Thursday. "The level of chlorination was high because we received complaints from other regulators and the Public Service Commission about discoloring water. If you increase the disinfection, you can reduce a certain amount of that color in the water."
The contamination discovery was the result of testing conducted in the second half of 2007.
Southern District Public Service Commissioner Leonard Bentz learned of the contamination from the Sun Herald on Thursday and paid a surprise visit to TESI's office.
He said no one knew who he was, and when he asked to speak to someone about the memo, there was no one there to properly assist him. As a result, Bentz said he contacted their attorney to draft an order for TESI officials to appear before the commission.
"They are going to answer questions about their customer service, and they are going to answer questions about the company in general," Bentz said.
Jones said TESI officials would gladly meet with commissioners. In addition, TESI's director of customer service said Thursday afternoon she spoke with the Ocean Springs employees who saw Bentz and she understands they acted appropriately.
Gulf Park Estates resident George Lehr said he wants to know why he had to find out about the contamination after visiting a friend living in an apartment close to his home.
Lehr and his wife, Jennifer, said they saw the notice posted on the front door of their friend's apartment. They didn't receive one.
Jones said their representatives went door to door posting the memos but that some of the letters might have blown away. He said the company did try to inform all the affected residents.
But Jennifer Lehr said she works out of her home and no one from TESI stopped there to drop off a memo.
Lehr, like other residents in Gulf Park Estates, is particularly angered by the news of contamination because of their high water bills. In 2006, flat-rate water bills under TESI nearly doubled; a portion of that increase is under appeal in the state Supreme Court. If the fees are found to be excessive, some of the money would be returned to customers.
The warning TESI sent out tells residents testing from July to December showed the Gulf Park Estates water system exceeded the maximum contamination level for disinfection byproducts, trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids.
"Although this is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened; what you should do; and what we are doing to correct the situation," the statement said.
For now, TESI officials said residents do not have to find an alternative water supply, such as bottled water, though anyone with specific health concerns should contact a physician.
Jones also noted the contamination was found after a single test at a well site. He said it's questionable whether it would've been the same result if the sample had been taken at someone's home.
As for waiting until May to inform residents, Jones said "we put out the notice as soon as the state Department of Health notified us that we had to put it out."
He said the Health Department dictates the wording in the notices, which are commonly sent out when there is contamination. "Those are their words," he said.
TESI is working with the state Department of Health to evaluate the water supply and come up with options to correct the problems.
In the notice, TESI encourages residents to inform others who might not know, suggesting the notifications be posted in public places or distributed by hand or mail.
Residents of Gulf Park Estates received notice this week that the water supply from Total Environmental Systems Inc. was contaminated. Kellie Emmerich of South 8th Street said she hopes the filtration system on her new refrigerator will keep her and her family safe.
Have questions?
The TESI notice lists these contacts for additional information: TESI District Supervisor Lee Purvis at 1-800-866-3561 or Dana Hart, manager of compliance, at 1-800-372-9712.
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