Toxic Water: Louisiana City Mayor Declares State of Emergency

Donaldsonville’s water contains chlorine dioxide up to to five times EPA guidelines

The mayor of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, has declared a state of emergency after the state warned residents not to drink tap water, said a report.

The city’s privately run Peoples Water Company has allegedly failed to report chlorine dioxide levels that are up to five times EPA guidelines.

Chlorine dioxide is a potent oxidizing agent used to disinfect drinking water and in bleaching. EPA has set a maximum level of 0.8 mg/liter for chlorine dioxide in drinking water.