Public Notice for Hildale / Colorado City Utilities

Issued April 14, 2023

Summary

In response to colored water complaints, Hildale-Colorado City took water samples on March 20th, 2023. When the results came in on April 7th, it was discovered that elevated levels of manganese are present in the Hildale-Colorado City drinking water system. Because the measured concentration of manganese is above the EPA’s Health Advisory Level for manganese (0.3 mg/L), we are notifying customers of these results.
Hildale-Colorado City is taking action to reduce manganese levels and is continuing to have the water tested. The water system will issue another notice when the levels have been reduced to a level below EPA Health Advisory levels.
Please read this entire notice and share it with anyone that drinks the water in your home. For more information and updates visit the Hildale-Colorado City website at hildalecity.com

Health Information

Although manganese is naturally occurring and an essential nutrient at low levels, exposure to high levels may be associated with adverse central nervous system effects, particularly for formula-fed infants, the elderly, and those with liver disease. Because infants have a developing nervous system and a higher absorption and lower excretion of manganese than older children or adults do, they are more sensitive to the effects of high levels of manganese. Bottle-fed infants who drink water containing more than 0.3 mg/L of manganese over a period of 10 days may have negative neurological effects.

What Customers Should Do

Based on the manganese levels and guidance from EPA, we suggest that customers do the following:

● Do not use your tap water to prepare bottles or food (e.g. soup) for infants under six months, the elderly or those with liver disease. Tap water may be used to prepare foods, such as pasta, where the water is discarded prior to consumption.
● Do not boil water you intend to drink. Boiling, freezing, or letting water stand does not reduce manganese levels. Boiling can increase levels of manganese because manganese remains behind (i.e., is concentrated) when the water evaporates.
● Contact your doctor. If you have specific health concerns, you may wish to
consult with a medical professional.

What is being done?

● Hildale-Colorado City has a treatment plant in use to remove Iron and Manganese. This past month the treatment plant has not been removing all the manganese that it is designed to. Operational changes and repairs are underway to improve effectiveness of the treatment process.
● The Hildale-Colorado City water system is altering the water treatment process to remove more manganese.
● Ongoing samples will be taken, and public notifications will continue until all test results are found to have safe levels. Check (hildalecity.com) for the most recent sampling results.

Summary of Sample Results

Samples were collected on March 20th 2023, and they were tested for several contaminants, including manganese, iron, lead, and copper. Only manganese was found in elevated concentrations. No elevated levels of iron, lead, or copper have been found.

^ Manganese levels are based upon the EPA’s Health Advisory levels.

* Secondary drinking water standard established only to provide guidance in evaluating aesthetic qualities of drinking water

For more information, please contact: Utility on-call at 435-467-1160