City officials in Saratoga Springs announced an alert in August 2026 after testing showed a rise in trihalomethane (THM) concentrations in the municipal water system. The notice indicated that the elevated levels are considered temporary and appear to be linked to recent maintenance activities at the Loughberry Lake Dam, which supplies a portion of the city’s drinking water.
Trihalomethanes are chemical compounds that can form when chlorine used for disinfection reacts with natural organic material in water. While the city’s water treatment process routinely monitors for these substances, the recent findings prompted officials to inform the public of the short‑term increase. The alert emphasizes that the spike is not expected to persist, and that the water remains safe for consumption under current guidelines.
The Department of Public Works explained that work on the Loughberry Lake Dam involved adjustments that may have altered the interaction between disinfectant chemicals and organic matter in the reservoir. Such changes can temporarily affect THM formation until water conditions stabilize. The department has scheduled a follow‑up testing cycle in the coming weeks to verify that concentrations return to typical levels.
Residents are advised that the city will continue routine sampling and will release updated results once the next testing cycle is complete. No additional remedial actions, such as boiling water or using alternative sources, have been recommended at this time. The city’s water quality team remains engaged in monitoring the situation and will communicate any further developments.
City officials reiterated that the water supply’s overall quality remains within regulatory standards and that the temporary THM increase is being closely tracked. The alert will be lifted once test results confirm that THM levels have normalized, restoring the usual confidence in the municipal water system.