Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Public Health Advisory: Private drinking water wells

Mass DEP/USGS Arsenic and Uranium Bedrock Well Study, Public Health Advisory


The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Drinking Water Program released the results of a U.S. Geological Survey study regarding arsenic and uranium in private drinking water wells in Massachusetts on March 21, 2011.


The study suggests that naturally occurring arsenic and uranium levels in some private drinking water wells in Franklin may exceed recommended levels. Mass DEP has developed a comprehensive website to provide town residents with information regarding the details of the study, the resources for determining if one’s well may be impacted, as well as information on well testing and mitigation procedures.


At the current time, only private drinking water wells in a small area of southwest Franklin have been determined to be suspect based on maps provided by Mass DEP.


The Franklin Health Department urges residents in the suspect areas to carefully review all information on the Mass DEP website, and to have their drinking water wells tested and treated as necessary.


Residents who are served by the town’s public drinking water wells are not affected by this advisory.


Important Contacts:


For questions regarding the US Geological Survey report contact John Colman at USGS at (508)-490-5027.


For questions regarding health effects of arsenic and uranium contact Massachusetts Department of Public Health at (617)-624-5757 or (800)-240-4266.


For questions regarding arsenic mitigation contact Joe Cerutti, Mass DEP at (617) 292-5859.


For questions regarding uranium mitigation contact Steve Hallem, Mass DEP at (617)-292-5681.


You may also contact the Franklin Health Department at (508)-520-4905.


http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/au/aulocate.htm



Franklin, MA

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