HEBRON AREA WATER WELL TESTING RECOMMENDED

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

Routine testing of the city’s municipal water wells by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) revealed levels of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA), trichloroethylene (TCE), 1,1-dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE), and 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) exceeding the maximum contaminant level, indicating that the contaminants could also be present in the area’s private wells.

Although the contaminants were found in Hebron’s source water, contaminants are removed at the city’s water supply treatment plant and the water quality meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.

Persons with private wells located within the area located east of Johnson Road, south of Nippersink Creek extending to three-fourths of a mile south of Price Road, and west of Stewart Road extending to Buttons 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 Patti Nomm, McHenry County Health Department, at 815-334-4585. Once samples have been analyzed, residents can call the health department for an explanation of the test results.

The risk of adverse health effects depends on the level of contaminants in the water and the duration of exposure. Long-term exposure to these chemicals may increase the risk of liver and kidney damage and increase the risk of certain types of cancers.

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