CRYSTAL LAKE AREA WATER WELL TESTING RECOMMENDED

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. – Residents who obtain their drinking water from private wells in the Crystal Lake 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 the presence of trichloroethylene (TCE), methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), cis-1, 2-dichloroethylene (DCE), and 1,1-dichloroethane (DCA) in groundwater, indicating that the contaminants could also be present in the area’s private wells.

Although the contaminants were found in Crystal Lake’s source water, the water quality meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.

Persons with private wells located within the area east of Glen Avenue, west of Terra Cotta Road, and north of Prairie Street extending to Nunda Trail, 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.

Exposure to elevated levels of TCE, cis 1-2-DCE, and 1,1-DCA can cause nausea, dizziness and headaches. Long-term exposure to these chemicals can affect the liver and kidney. Long-term TCE exposure may increase the risk of liver cancer.

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.