Water Deadline Looming in Hannibal

A 90-day deadline is fast approaching for the Hannibal Board of Public Works. Voters approved Proposition 1 in April, which required the BPW discontinue using ammonia as part of the water disinfection process within 90 days. The vote came after citizen’s groups expressed health concerns over its use.

General Manager Bob Stevenson tells the Hannibal Courier-Post the Department of Natural Resources recently said “NO” to a request to remove ammonia.  The BPW is planning to appeal.

Hannibal added ammonia to its water after repeated byproduct violations were detected using other disinfection methods.  Stevenson says currently Hannibal’s water is in compliance with DNR standards.  He says removing ammonia to meet the Prop 1 mandate could once again put the city into non-compliance and result in substantial fines.