A boil water advisory from Bayou Teche Water Works this week might have violated a DHH administrative order requirement, but no penalties have been imposed by the state agency.

Bayou Teche Water Works was placed under an administrative order after a study was done by the state Department of Health and Hospitals concerning the company’s water quality.

Some of the violations reported by the order included allowing a trihalomethane and haloacetic buildup that exceeded the required levels. Consumers who drink too much of either have an increased chance of getting cancer, according to Environmental Protection Agency reports. An overabundance of trihalomethane can also lead to liver, kidney and central nervous system problems. 

Another violation included inadequate chlorine residual levels. Once the order was put into effect, Bayou Teche Water Works was told that chlorine residuals must stay within 0.60 milligrams per liter for its water wells at all times. 

Penalties for non-compliance, the order continues, include a maximum penalty of $3,000 per day. 

A boil water advisory was issued by the water company earlier this week due to chlorine residual loss, which constitutes a violation of the administrative order. However, the order states an advisory is acceptable if a mishap occurs while repairing the system per the order’s mandate.

DHH Spokeswoman Ashley Lewis said the agency has not yet determined if a penalty is warranted.

“DHH will continue to work with Bayou Teche as we do with all water systems. We don’t typically penalize systems that demonstrate a good faith effort on compliance,” Lewis said in an email Tuesday.

Since the introduction of the administrative order, the DHH has performed routine inspections to make sure Bayou Teche Water Works has complied with every order given during each respective time-frame.

The 14 violations have required 41 orders with which the water company must comply. According to the original modified order, Oct. 31 will be the final date set for inspection.   

Bayou Teche Water Works costumer Norris Maturin has complained about the state of the water company since before the order was administered. Maturin, along with Bayou Teche Committee, have sought to separate themselves from the company via a petition that is currently being reviewed by the Louisiana Public Service Commission.

Maturin said the boil advisory was in violation of the administrative order, and questioned why the water company has not been issued penalties by the DHH.

“The order says the chlorine needs to be at a certain level, and they’re not at it. Where’s the $3,000 a day penalty?” Maturin said.