The City of Mustang owns and operates eleven water wells that are physically located in a four-square-mile area centered at SW 119th and Pennsylvania Avenue. Operational records, over the past thirteen years, confirm that the concentration of arsenic, in our well water, has gradually increased. In May of 2015, we completed a capital improvement project that allows us to blend our well water with the treated surface water produced by the City of Oklahoma City. This blending process allows us to purchase a minimum volume of water from Oklahoma City while maintaining strict compliance with all regulatory standards. While this strategy delivers a safe, cost-effective product, you may have noticed a change in the taste and odor of the water delivered to your home.
The primary source of this change in the taste and odor is due to the EPA approved, disinfection strategy employed by the City of Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City uses chlorine in combination with ammonia to disinfect the water. This approach disinfects the water and prevents the production of undesirable chlorine byproducts in their far-ranging distribution system. By contrast, Mustang has a relatively compact distribution system and we use only chlorine gas for disinfection. Our blending strategy requires the operator to vary the ratio of OKC water that is combined with our Mustang well water. We have observed that; as the ratio of OKC to Mustang water increases, we see a noticeable increase in the taste and odor issues with our water. The most important thing to remember is that the water is safe; however, it does taste and smell a bit different.
We are in the early stages of eliminating the odor and taste issues via use the same disinfection process utilized by Oklahoma City. This disinfection conversion process will require public notice and other administrative activities in accordance with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Pending the change to the disinfection chemicals utilized, we will make the best efforts to maintain free chlorine in the water reducing the quantity of offensive chloramines.
In closing, the City of Mustang and Inframark like to assure you that our water is safe to use and readily meets or exceeds the rigorous testing and monitoring requirements developed by the Environmental Protection Agency. For an accurate and complete analysis of our water quality, please review the Consumer Confidence Report posted on the City of Mustang Web site or feel free to visits the complete regulatory history of our system at SDWIS.deq.state.ok.us.
Thanks in advance for your understanding and cooperation as we strive to provide our community with safe, high-quality water. Your input and concern helps us move our improvement initiative forward.