The following are public notices received by the citizens of Italy today in the mail. The notices were reproduced verbatim.

Mandatory Language for Public Notification

MCI Coliform Violation (TCR22)

The City of Italy/0700028 water system collected one water sample during August 2013 that contacted coliform bacteria. This water system is required to submit a minimum of two routine water samples each month for bacteriological analysis. One routine samples were coliform-found and zero repeat samples were coliform-found for the month and year indicated about.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) sets drinking water standards in Texas and has determined that the presence of total coliform is a possible health concern. Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential problems.

For water systems analyzing at least 40 samples per month, no more than five (5) percent of the monthly samples may be positive for total coliform. For systems analyzing fewer than 40 samples per month, no more than one (1) sample per month may be positive for total coliform.

If you have any questions regarding this mater, you may contact:
City of Italy Public Works Direct – Dean Carrell
972-483-6212(office) or 214-491-9158(cell)

Remarks on TAEQ’s Mandatory Public Notification of MCL Coliform (TCR)
by: Dean Carrell City of Italy Public Works Director

TCEQ or labs cannot tell you if the coliform found is in a normal presence or potentially harmful the best way to say there could be a concern after positive sample is to pull more samples. The sample that comes from the lab is just an indicator that a coliform to present. The sample could have been compromised during routine sampling. The best way to be determine if a bacteria is truly present is to pull more samples. This will give TCEQ and the Public Works Department a better knowledge of the samples that were analyzed.

The City of Italy’s Public Works is mandated to take two (2) samples per month. In a two (2) month period Public Works pulled a total of twenty (20) extra samples which none of them came back positive. There are many ways to contaminate the sample when operator has take samples such as dirty hands, lid not being fully tighten, wind with dust, grass, trees, and even a rag when wiping the sample bottle. It is my belief that the sample pulled was human fault. With the new construction and old lines in the ground it will be even harder to take samples. In my three years with the city we have never had a bad sample. Public Works take pride in making sure the water is safe for everyone’s consumption.

If you have and questions or concerns please call Dean Carrell 214-491-9158(cell) or 972-483-6212(office).