SPRINGFIELD, IL – Homeowners who obtain their drinking water from private wells in the New Lenox area are advised to have the water tested for possible groundwater contamination, the Illinois Department of Public Health today announced.

Test results of samples collected by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) of the city's municipal water wells revealed traces of a contaminant – trichloroethylene – that could also be present in the area's private wells.

After trace amounts of trichloroethylene were found in New Lenox's municipal water supply, the village switched to water pumped from Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan water meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. Those who have questions about the city's drinking water supply can contact Joan Muraro, Illinois EPA, at 217-785-7209, or the village of New Lenox at 815-485-6452.

Persons with private wells located south of East Francis Road, west of North Cooper Road, north of Central Road and east of Nelson Road between Old Hickory and Central Road, and east of Vine Street between East Francis Road and Old Hickory Road are encouraged to have their water tested by a private laboratory.

A list of private laboratories approved for testing can be obtained by calling the Illinois Department of Public Health's West Chicago office at 630-293-6800. Once samples have been analyzed, residents can call the Department for an explanation of the test results.

Exposure to trichloroethylene for long periods has been found to increase the risk of liver and kidney damage, and to impair immune system function and fetal development.

Several industrial and commercial sites in New Lenox are undergoing environmental cleanup and Illinois EPA is attempting to determine the rate and extent of groundwater contamination from those areas.

Notice of possible private well contamination is required by 2002 amendments to the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act.