January 16, 2009

State health department recommends water well testing for Roscoe area

ROSCOE, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Public Health is advising residents who obtain their drinking water from private wells in the Roscoe area to test their water for possible groundwater contamination. Routine testing of the Ledgewood Elementary School’s non-community public water supply indicates contamination could be present in the area’s private wells.

Although the contaminants were found in Ledgewood Elementary School’s ground water, residents who receive their water from the North Park Public Water District, and not from a private well, are not affected. The District’s water supply meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.

People with private wells located within a one-mile radius of Ledgewood Elementary School are encouraged to have their water tested by a private laboratory.

The contaminant tetrachloroethylene was detected at a level greater than the groundwater quality standard.

A list of private laboratories approved for testing can be obtained by calling Illinois Department of Public Health’s Rockford office at 815-987-7511. 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 length of exposure. Long-term exposure to this chemical may increase the risk of liver and kidney damage.