The Laurel Water Plant has returned to optimal conditions

Head water plant operator H.P. Nuernberger checks a plant control panel.

On Wednesday, July 27, the City of Laurel issued a health advisory regarding water quality in Laurel. According to the document, the Laurel Municipal water treatment plant, “experienced higher than normal turbidities on the 14th, 17th, 18th, and the 30th of June.” The notice states that disinfectant procedures may have not been enough to ensure water quality due to the excessive turbidities.

Public Works Director Kurt Markegard says that the turbidity issue was the result of technical issues with a flocculant feed. Many water treatment facilities make use of a polymer material that is designed to force mud and other particulates into manageable clumps for the purposes of removing them from the water. The equipment that disperses this material at the Laurel water plant was not operating at full capacity on the days that saw the increased turbidity. The equipment was repaired and water treatment continues as normal. Markegard says, “It wasn’t really a big issue, but the DEQ required that we give notification.”

According to the U.S Geological Survey’s website, “turbidity is the measure of relative clarity of a liquid.” A water sample that has a high level of turbidity contains a high amount of particulate matter. The USGS lists “clay, silt, very tiny inorganic and organic matter, algae, dissolved colored organic compounds, and plankton and other microscopic organisms” as materials that can cause water turbidity. The advisory issued by the city indicates that on the dates mentioned, Laurel’s water contained evidence of particulate matter that was higher than the acceptable level set out by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). According to the USGS, particulate matter is not only troublesome by itself, but it also provides “attachment places for other pollutants, notably metals and bacteria.”

“It’s not going to happen again,” says water plant director H.P. Nuernberger, stressing that the issues described in the health advisory are isolated, and not a cause for concern. Plant personnel are currently monitoring water quality every two to four hours. Plant workers also regularly test water p.h. and temperature, as these are also contributing factors to maintaining a healthy water supply. During peak seasons, the Laurel Water Treatment Plant can put out millions of gallons of water, and Nuernberger has developed an updated series of operational checks to make sure that Laurel’s water supply stays clean. “I implemented changes that we’re going to make standard operating procedure, and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was satisfied with those changes,’ says Nuernberger.

Laurel Public Works officials stress the importance of understanding that this incident is not an emergency. The situation that prompted the release of the health advisory occurred only over the course of 4 days. There does not appear to be a threat to public health at this time, and no boil order has been issued. However the required notice issued by the DEQ advises that “people with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk.” These individuals or their caregivers are encouraged to seek the advice of a health care provider.

Water plant personnel will continue to monitor water quality and keep the public advised of the situation. For more information, please contact Kurt Markegard, Public Works Director at 406-628-4796 or email at kmarkegard@laurel.mt.gov. Individuals may also call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 for more information about avoiding infection by water-borne microbes.

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