MOKANE, Mo. - The Mokane Water Cooperative public water system has had multiple violations of monitoring requirements and drinking water standards from December 2012 through August 2014, according to a public notice from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
In August, the co-op exceeded the maximum contaminant level for the total coliform bacteria. At small water systems like Mokane, no more than one sample may be positive for total coliform each month. In August, the Mokane water system had three total coliform positive samples. The water system's September samples came back clear.
Gena Terlizzi with DNR said the department was notified of the high bacteria levels present in the water system's August samples through the laboratory notification system. Under DNR requirements, the Mokane Water customers should have been issued a public notice of the high bacteria levels. Customers also are supposed to be notified when water is not routinely tested.
While coliform bacteria are usually not harmful themselves, DNR's notice stated that "Coliforms are bacteria which are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present."
The Mokane water system also failed to submit routine samples for bacteriological testing for six different months in 2013 and 2014. Missouri DNR stresses the importance of routinely testing drinking water to ensure the water is safe for consumption. Missouri DNR notified the Mokane water system of its violations. When asked if the water system would receive fines for failing to monitor as frequently as it should, Terlizzi said further action has not yet been determined.
As of the 2013 Missouri Public Water System Census, the Mokane utility serves a population of 195 with 108 service connections.
The Mokane Water Cooperative is also required to monitor drinking water for compliance Radionuclides every six years. Regular monitoring results determine if drinking water meets health standards. The water system did not monitor for compliance Radionuclides during the January 2008 to December 2013 compliance period.
City officials did not respond to calls or emails for comment.