City of Regina working to lower levels of chemical byproduct in water supply

Changes are being made to Regina’s water supply after high levels of a chemical byproduct were found in 2015.

Testing done in January found levels of trihalomethanes, or THMs, which exceed the allowable limit set out by Health Canada’s drinking water guidelines. THMs are a chemical byproduct of chlorine, which is used to disinfect the drinking water.

The City of Regina believes the levels are due to several years of high run-off at Buffalo Pound Lake.

The City of Regina, Buffalo Pound Water and the Water Security Agency are now making operational changes, investments and improvements to lower the levels of THMs, and will be monitoring the levels monthly.

According to the city, the exceeded levels of THMs aren’t a health concern. Concern would come if a person was exposed to the levels over a number of years.