MILL CREEK AREA WATER WELL TESTING RECOMMENDED

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. – Residents who obtain their drinking water from private wells in the Mill Creek 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 carbon tetrachloride (carbon tet) exceeding the maximum contaminant level, indicating that the contamination could also be present in the area’s private wells.

Although the contaminants were found in Mill Creek’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 east of County Road 450 East, north of Alexander Lane, west of South 24 th Street, and south of County Road 900 North, are encouraged to have their water tested by a private laboratory.

A list of private laboratories approved for testing can be obtained by calling John Smet, Illinois Department of Public Health, at 309-693-5360. Once samples have been analyzed, residents can call the health department for an explanation of the test results.

Exposure to elevated levels of carbon tetrachloride can cause liver, kidney, and nervous system damage. Carbon tetrachloride is classified as a probable human carcinogen.

Notice of possible private well contamination is required by 2002 amendments to the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act. This information has been compiled from historic data and is provided to the public to ensure full disclosure of state records.