Sulphur, Louisiana – The Sulphur City of Water System has released its Annual Water Quality Report for 2024, assuring residents that the municipal drinking water continues to meet or exceed all federal and state safety standards. The comprehensive report provides detailed information about the sources of Sulphur’s drinking water, the results of various tests conducted, and the city’s ongoing commitment to providing a safe and dependable water supply.

The city draws its water from five groundwater wells: Well #10 – North Plant (C), Well #11 – North Plant (E), Well #12 – Verdine Plant, Well #13 – Verdine Plant, and Well #7 – Irwin. According to the report, these sources are part of a continual effort to improve water treatment processes and protect water resources.

A Source Water Assessment Plan (SWAP), available for review at the city’s office, indicates that Sulphur’s water system has a “MEDIUM” susceptibility rating to potential sources of contamination. This assessment helps the city identify and mitigate potential risks to its water sources.

The report details findings for various substances. As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program to monitor unregulated contaminants, Lithium was detected in 2024 at an average concentration of 33.9 parts per billion (ppb), with a range of 29.6 to 37.9 ppb. Unregulated contaminants are those for which the EPA has not established drinking water standards; monitoring helps the EPA determine whether regulation is needed in the future.

Regarding lead, the report emphasizes that there is no safe level of lead in drinking water and details potential health effects, particularly for pregnant women, infants, and young children. While the Sulphur City of Water System is responsible for providing high-quality drinking water and has efforts to remove lead pipes, it cannot control materials used in home plumbing. Lead in drinking water primarily comes from materials in service lines and home plumbing. For tests conducted between 2021 and 2024, the 90th percentile for lead was 2 ppb, well below the Action Level (AL) of 15 ppb. An Action Level is the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements. Copper, also tested from 2021-2024, had a 90th percentile of 0.4 parts per million (ppm), below its AL of 1.3 ppm. Residents concerned about lead can flush taps, use certified filters, or contact the city at 337-527-4500 (Mike Danahay) or [email protected] to view the lead and copper inventory for their address.

Disinfection of the water supply is maintained using chlorine. The highest locational running annual average (LRAA) for chlorine in 2024 was 1.7 ppm, with a range of 0.0 to 2.79 ppm. This is well within the Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) of 4 ppm, which is the highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water.

The report also lists several regulated contaminants detected in source water, all of which were within their respective Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) – the highest level of a contaminant allowed in drinking water. These included:

• Antimony, Total: Highest value 1.1 ppb (MCL 6 ppb), collected 8/25/2024.
• Barium: Highest value 0.31 ppm (MCL 2 ppm), collected 10/6/2024.
• Fluoride: Highest value 0.3 ppm (MCL 4 ppm), collected 8/25/2024.
• Lasso: Highest value 0.032 ppb (MCL 2 ppb), collected 10/6/2024.
• Nitrate-Nitrite: Highest value 0.1 ppm (MCL 10 ppm), collected 11/11/2024.

Radiological contaminants, such as Combined Radium, Gross Alpha, and Gross Beta particle activity, were also tested on 10/6/2024 and found to be within safe limits. Disinfection byproducts like Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) and Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) were monitored at various sample points during 2023-2024, with all LRAA values remaining below their MCLs.

Secondary contaminants, which primarily affect aesthetic qualities like taste, odor, or appearance rather than health, were also monitored. While source water showed Iron at 6.28 mg/L (SMCL 0.3 mg/L) and Manganese at 0.81 mg/L (SMCL 0.05 mg/L) on 10/6/2024, treated water samples from 3/12/2024 (Iron) and 10/6/2024 (Manganese) showed significantly lower levels of 0.31 mg/L for Iron and 0.02 mg/L for Manganese, indicating effective treatment.

The Louisiana Department of Health has assigned the Sulphur City of Water System a grade of “B.” Residents can find the full report card at www.sulphur.org or obtain more information about the state’s water grading system at www.ldh.la.gov/watergrade.

For questions about the report, residents can contact Mike Danahay at 337-527-4500.