UNION-YORK AREA WATER WELL TESTING RECOMMENDED

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

Routine testing of the district’s community water wells by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) revealed the presence of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in groundwater, indicating that the contaminants could also be present in the area’s private wells.

Although the contaminants were found in the Union-York source water, the water quality meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.

Persons with private wells located within the area east of State Route 1 extending to the County Road 450 North and County Road 1950 East intersection, and north of Hull Street extending to 0.10 mile north of County Road 450 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 Mark Kuechler, Illinois Department of Public Health, at 217-278-5900. Once samples have been analyzed, residents can call the health department for an explanation of the test results.

MTBE has been used since the 1980s as an additive in unleaded gasoline. Animal studies suggest that drinking elevated levels of MTBE may cause gastrointestinal irritation and can adversely affect the nervous system.

This information has been compiled from historic data and is provided to the public to ensure full disclosure of state records.