By Marshall Stewart
Tulsa, OK – A group of citizen activists want to stop the Tulsa Utility Authority from adding the disinfectant, chloramine, to the water supply. They consider it a danger to health and have brought in an expert to help make their case. Water Resource Manager Bob Bowcock says it's unnecessary, costly, and a public health problem to switch from chlorine to chloramines.
Utility officials claim the switch is needed because of new E-P-A rules. But Bowcock says a number of cities who have made the transition to chloramines are now reversing the decision
And Bowcock believes there are cheaper and safer alternatives for Tulsa/ Bowcock says the conversion could cost millions and he maintains it's totally unnecessary.
It prompted councilors to request that the utility authority slow down implementation of the chloramines conversion project until authority members could hear the same presentation. Bowcock went before authority members yesterday. Officials note it is up to the utility authority and not the council, as to whether or not the conversion will go forward.