News

January 18, 2008

Slocum Twp. groundwater ruled safe

“Aggressive” water corroding plumbing fixtures blamed, not unsafe levels of lead.

SLOCUM TWP. – After almost a year of checking and rechecking, the state Department of Environmental Protection announced Thursday evening there is not an unsafe level of lead in groundwater and that it will stop providing residents with bottled water.

The agency had feared an underground fuel storage tank at an old bus depot on Slocum Road might have leaked leaded gasoline, and, as part of procedure, began testing nearby wells. Initial indications showed elevated levels of lead in some tests, but additional testing and scientific analysis brought officials to the conclusion that “aggressive” water corroding plumbing fixtures was the culprit, not groundwater contamination, according to DEP spokesman Mark Carmon.

Aggressive water is that which has low pH, meaning it’s acidic; low alkalinity, which means buffering capacity; and low hardness, which refers to calcium content, said Martin Gilligan, a professional engineer with DEP’s water supply program. Rain water in the area, which seeps into the ground to become groundwater, fits that description, Carmon said.

Dr. Mark White with the state Department of Health noted that none of the 250 blood-lead samples taken in April 2007 showed elevated levels.

He said residents with water samples of more than 15 parts per billion of lead and 300 parts per billion of the metal manganese should consider mitigation methods, but cautioned that such levels aren’t imminently harmful. He suggested using bottled water, letting the water run for several minutes if it’s been sitting for some time or using cold water for ingestion purposes.

Roughly 130 private wells were tested at least twice during three different test periods around March, July and October 2007, Carmon said.

Sets of three groundwater monitoring wells in four locations tested within adequate limits, Carmon said. Bedrock, soil and surface water were also tested.

“All came back (with) no elevated leads beyond what you expect to find in background,” he said.

DEP’s bottled-water delivery will end Jan. 25, and residents have until Feb. 8 to decide to continue service through Glen Summit Springs Water Co. Otherwise, residents are to leave coolers outside homes for pickup.

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