News-Dispatch, The (Michigan City, IN): Document Display

News-Dispatch, The (Michigan City, IN)

December 1, 2000

Pines wells fail federal standards
Kathy Ceperich

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has confirmed that four wells belonging to residents in The Pines do not meet federal drinking-water standards.

The residents involved have been notified, said Mark Jaworski, IDEM site investigation project manager. The wells are within a few blocks and are east of Indiana 520.

Three of the wells tested high for Volatile Organic Compounds (V.O.C.s) and one tested positive for arsenic.

"We will continue to monitor," Jaworski said.

Most of the homes in the area were tested, and the water at the other residences meets limits set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, he said.

Some had trace amounts of lead or V.O.C.s, but the amounts were below the action limits set by the EPA and were within acceptable limits for drinking water.

IDEM has not pinpointed the cause of the contaminants, he said, noting "the arsenic could be naturally occurring or it could be attributable to other sources."

Earlier sampling led the investigators to think metallic thallium also was present in some of the wells.

"We found no elevated levels of thallium," he said.

The depth of the contaminated wells ranged from 17 to 35 feet, he said.

IDEM began its investigation in July when a resident complained about her water. IDEM tested the well and neighbors' wells and only found contamination at one residence.

Workers returned in September and found two additional wells had contaminated water. Earlier this month, they retested some of the residences.

The results of this most recent testing indicate four residences with water quality less than acceptable by the EPA standards.

Jaworski said he is waiting for additional testing to further confirm the results.

Pines Town Council Vice President Jerry Ruess said he spoke with Jaworski and has volunteered to work with IDEM to find the cause and potentially a solution for the problem.

The council also will explore the option of hooking up to receive water from Michigan City. The Michigan City Water Works superintendent will attend the next council meeting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5.

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