Editor:
Re: Mayor douses water critics, Dec. 24.
The City of White Rock’s decision to switch from chlorination to chloramines is disturbing.
There are disadvantages and advantages to both systems of secondary disinfectant, however, the decision to switch based on fewer complaints regarding staining of laundry and plumbing fixtures seems disingenuous.
Mayor Wayne Baldwin states that Epcor had planned to use chloramines, prior to selling the water utility to the city, yet we, the general public, cannot find any documents to support this statement. In fact, up to May 2014, Epcor stated in various documents: “Free chlorine (chlorination) is a more powerful and a superior approach to water safety than chloramines.”
And all Epcor’s plans and costs up to that point include using chlorination as the secondary disinfectant.
The mayor also states chloramines were recommended by consultants. Again, we cannot find these documents.
We have requested arsenic and manganese levels for 2015 and have been told by the city that they haven’t received them, despite the fact that all assets of the water utility were transferred to the city on Oct. 30.
Is it coincidental that Fraser Health changed the Epcor operating permit on Oct. 29, that previously allowed only the use of chlorination to allow the use of any secondary disinfectant, and issued the permit to the city?
It is in everyone’s best interest that these documents be made available to erase suspicions generated in the minds of the public at this time.
Which begs the question, why switch back to chlorine by Dec. 18, 2018, the date requested by Fraser Health to remove arsenic and manganese from the water supply?
Why not just keep the chloramine as the disinfectant?
The mayor states that there are no health concerns with the use of chloramines, however, Health Canada states nitrification can lead to methaemoglobinaemia. What measures are in place to ensure nitrification is kept to a minimum? If there are residents on home-dialysis units, what filters should they use? Again, there is no documentation by the city to address this health concern. Chloramines are also known to degrade elastomer/rubber dip tubes and anodes in hot-water tanks and toilet flapper valves. Has the city addressed this or developed an emergency or environmental management plan? Not to my knowledge.
Once the city addresses these questions and makes these documents available, maybe residents would not be so suspicious of its decisions.
Susan Muraja, Surrey
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Re: Chloramine picked for city water, Dec. 16.
I was shocked to read the front-page headline.
While people are distracted by the denuding of the hillside on our waterfront (1950 agreement cited in clearcut work, Dec. 18), our city is ready to rubber-stamp the addition of chloramine to our water supply.
From what I have read about chloramine, I have made an incomplete list of people who should be concerned.
People who are on kidney dialysis; people who are immune suppressed; people with sensitive skin.
People who take showers or hot steamy baths should be especially concerned, as chloraminated vapour can damage the mucous membranes in lungs and has been linked to asthma, respiratory diseases, rashes and worse.
People who are concerned about the environment should be prepared for fish and amphibian kills if a hydrant is flushed or a water main breaks. Those of you with fish ponds or tanks will have to avoid city water. Chloramine leaches the lead out of old pipes and soldered joints. It can also cause pin-hole leaks in copper pipes and reduces the lifespan of hot-water tanks.
I would suggest the above list, while not complete, would concern the vast majority of residents. I strongly suggest you do your own research on chloramine.
Mayor Wayne Baldwin wants to start chloramine treatment in January with little or no consultation. We need to stop this process now. There are other, much better methods to treat our water other than flushing it and us with chloramine and phosphates.
Wade Honeyman, White Rock
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Re: Flood of concern over chloramine, Dec. 9 letters.
I was alarmed to read that chloramine will be added to water in White Rock. This is a dangerous chemical.
‘We’ have poisoned and contaminated our atmosphere, food products with pesticides, and now the water. It is no wonder that cancer and other health problems emerge more and more. I am so worried about all of us, especially our children’s health. Where is our caring and informed leadership in White Rock?
Joan Gale, White Rock
