February 20, 2009

State health department receives results of water well testing for Roscoe area

ROSCOE, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has received the results for 17 private drinking water wells in the Roscoe area near the Ledgewood Elementary School that were tested for possible groundwater contamination. The results showed one well, which was northwest of the school, had a level of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) that exceeded the federal drinking water standard.

The Department has sent a letter and a health-based interpretation of the results to residents whose wells were tested. The Department will conduct additional private well sampling northwest of the school to determine the extent of the contamination. The source of contamination has not been identified.

Previously, routine testing of the Ledgewood Elementary School’s non-community public water supply indicated contamination could be present in the area’s private wells. The level of PCE detected in the one private well was similar to the level previously detected at the school. The school has drilled a new well that meets drinking water standards.

Although PCE was found in Ledgewood Elementary School’s well 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 drinking water standards.

People with private wells located within a one-mile radius of Ledgewood Elementary School were previously encouraged to have their water tested by a private laboratory. A list of private laboratories approved for testing can be obtained by calling the IDPH 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.