FDEP: Century Missed Required Water Sampling For ‘DBPs’ For An Entire Quarter

January 24, 2024

The Town of Century failed to test their water system over a full quarter last year for what’s known as Drinking Water Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs).

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in many cases, drinking water must be disinfected to treat microbial pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, protozoa, parasites). However, disinfectants can also react with naturally-occurring materials in the water to form disinfectant byproducts (DBPs). Byproducts, if consumed in excess of the EPA’s maximum contaminant level over many years, may increase health risks.

According to a warning letter from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr., stated Century “did not monitor for disinfection byproducts, including total trihalomethanes (TTHM) and haloacetic acids (HAA5), during the third quarter (July-September 2023).”

RELATED: Century Fails To Test Drinking Water For Lead, Copper, Two Other Contaminants For An Entire Year

The town was required to mail or directly deliver a letter to each person served by the water system and publish a notice in a local newspaper.

The town responded in December that the missed sampling was just an “oversight” and that processes have been put in place by Gomez to make sure deadlines are met in the future.

Comments

17 Responses to “FDEP: Century Missed Required Water Sampling For ‘DBPs’ For An Entire Quarter”

  1. David Huie Green on January 24th, 2024 9:51 pm

    CONTEMPLATING:
    “The mayor for the majority of that time was Ben Boutwell.”

    Problem solved!! (That was fast.)

  2. Captn Obvious on January 24th, 2024 5:51 pm

    “This would be the responsibility of the licensed operator of the water system. This is not a government officials responsibility.”

    Stating what should be obvious. The Town of Century water system is operated by the Town of Century, a municipal government. The operation of the town is a government official’s responsibility. Five council members and a Mayour.

  3. Molino resident on January 24th, 2024 4:35 pm

    This would be the responsibility of the licensed operator of the water system. This is not a government officials responsibility. Whoever holds the license to operate the water utility is the one responsible. And for all of you saying buy bottled water. I can tell you from experience working in public water that northern escambia county has pretty much the cleanest water in the state. Generally cleaner than the bottled water you love to buy. Don’t think that just because water is packaged, it is cleaner or better for you. Those waters have a much higher likelihood of being contaminated than your local groundwater which is treated against contaminants prior to being pumped through your system.

  4. Too Late on January 24th, 2024 4:03 pm

    The mayor for the majority of that time was Ben Boutwell. Maybe that’s why he left.

  5. David Huie Green on January 24th, 2024 2:41 pm

    CONCERNING;
    “5 bucks says they don’t fire the employee responsible for completing this task.”

    Do you mean the mayor?

    Do you realize how HARD it was to find a mayor?

    David for Central Water Works Incorporated

  6. sam on January 24th, 2024 2:28 pm

    buy bottled water to drink and cook with.

  7. sam on January 24th, 2024 2:26 pm

    this is what you get when people are voted into a position that they aren’t qualified to hold.

  8. IMHO on January 24th, 2024 12:46 pm

    Even if you don’t live in Century this affects anyone that eats in the local restaurants. I’d refrain from drinking anything made with water like ice, tea or coffee.

  9. Mr Bennie on January 24th, 2024 12:12 pm

    Do like they did in Phoenix City, Al in the late 50’ and enact Marshal Law.

  10. Susie on January 24th, 2024 12:06 pm

    Century should’ve “MISSED” being called a City with the incompetence that’s been running it.

  11. Northender on January 24th, 2024 12:05 pm

    It’s time to call it quits and go under the umbrella of Escambia County. Beyond time to do this. Fail after fail after fail.

  12. tg on January 24th, 2024 11:31 am

    And to think Century can handle millions in new project funds.

  13. Jim on January 24th, 2024 11:01 am

    There is no excuse for this, and the responsibility goes right to the top, the mayor for not seeing it’s done. Over twenty years ago when the hunting club I belong to decided to build a campground and put a well down to run water to each camp site I decided to get water testing kits and test our water every couple of months. It really wasn’t hard to collect water in the four small bottles and put them in the padded mailing bag, mail them, and get a report in a week or so. I called the town hall and they told me we are no longer under the boil water notice from last week.

  14. SW on January 24th, 2024 9:02 am

    More glorious failure by the inept clown show called the Town of Century. They even have another layer of official to manage it, too.

    Wonder how long this can continue? I know…throw more money at it.

    Sad really.

    Shut it down, revoke the charter, sell off assets. Do it for the residents, they don’t deserve this; no one should.

  15. Chris on January 24th, 2024 8:18 am

    So, the health of residents is of no concern to the Century government.

  16. JTV on January 24th, 2024 7:54 am

    Century, The Little Town That Couldn’t

  17. Chuck on January 24th, 2024 7:53 am

    5 bucks says they dont fire the employee responsible for completing this task.