Press Release

September 22, 2005

 

KERSHAW MOBILE HOME PARK WATER WELL TESTING RECOMMENDED

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Residents who obtain their drinking water from private wells in the Kershaw Mobile Home Park area near Colona are being advised to have the water tested for possible groundwater contamination, the Illinois Department of Public Health today announced.

Routine testing of the park’s public water wells by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency revealed levels of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) that exceeded the groundwater quality standards and low levels of toluene, xylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and ethylbenzene, indicating that the contamination could also be present in the area’s private wells.

Although the contaminants were found in the Kershaw Mobile Home Park source water, the water provided by the mobile home park meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.

Persons with private wells located within the area from Second Avenue extending a half mile north and from the Rock River extending three-fourths of a mile east, are encouraged to have their water tested by a private laboratory.

A list of private laboratories approved for testing can be obtained by calling Kurt Kuckle, Henry County Health Department at 309-852-0197 or John Smet, Illinois Department of Public

Health, Peoria Regional Office at 309-693-5360. Once samples have been analyzed, residents can call the Henry County Health Department or the state health department for an explanation of the test results.

Elevated levels of these chemicals can affect the central nervous system and long-term exposure may increase the risk of liver and kidney cancer.

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.





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Illinois Department of Public Health
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, Illinois 62761
Phone 217-782-4977
Fax 217-782-3987
TTY 800-547-0466
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