A small increase in the turbidity (cloudiness) of the water at the Water Treatment Plant was discovered on October 16, 2014 on the "trending sheet" for turbidity. The water trend sheet showed a gradual increase to 1.76 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU), where the standard is 1.0 NTU.

During regular operations, water samples are taken every two hours with constant monitoring on trending sheets for different chemical levels and more. On October 16, however, the plant operator took water samples every 15 minutes because the trend sheet indicated a gradual increase in turbidity. When the area of concern was identified as the secondary water source for the city, it was shut down immediately. The secondary water source is the lagoon which captures excess water and then goes through a microfiltration unit before being returned to the water plant for treatment.

There was no contamination and none of the testing has shown disease-causing organisms in the drinking water. The elevated reading, however, triggered federal and state notification requirements to notify the public in writing. This resulted in a letter sent to all water customers earlier this week.

"We believe the public has the right to know anytime there is an anomalous reading in our monitoring system," said Chief Operator Thomas Champagne. "There was a delay in sending the notice because the state dictates what language the letter will state."

The letter sent by mail was by state and federal mandate, though there was no water emergency causing extraordinary measures by the public.