Arsenic in Creswell drinking water: sorting fact from fiction
By Kim QuinteroDownload materials provided by the City of Creswell. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on arsenic in drinking water. Oregon State Extension Service resource on well water. EUGENE, Ore. - Creswell city officials sent a letter to residents warning that the water supply had tested for levels of arsenic that exceed allowable standards. "Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard," the letter reads. "This is not an emergency. If you have specific health concerns, contact your doctor. This is not an immediate risk." The letter concerned many residents. "We know that arsenic is not good for us and I think it is the city's responsibility to take care of this, said Creswell resident Mary Keet. But what is fact and what is fiction based on fear? Some Creswell city officials think the problem has been blown out of proportion. In an e-mail sent May 1, Mike Howard, the water treatment operator for the city of Creswell said news media and residents of Creswell didn't understand all the facts. Howard declined to provide an interview today, referring requests to the mayor of Creswell. Interim City Administrator Jamon Kent also said only the mayor of Creswell can speak for the city. But the mayor is at a funeral and won't be back until next week. Kent said the arsenic situation is not an emergency. The city found out about the problem in 2006 and has until 2009 to fix it, under new EPA standards for arsenic in water. Kent also wanted to make clear that the problem water isn't necessarily what people are drinking. He said the water flowing into drinking glasses is a combination of well water, river water and water from the treatment plant. The treatment plant tested clean of arsenic. So how much arsenic is in the water that residents are drinking and showering with? There is no answer to that question because water is not tested straight from the tap but at the source. So, if you live in Creswell should you drink the water? Kent said yes. We will speak to the Mayor of Creswell on Tuesday to find out what he has to say to concerned residents. The Environmental Protection Agency Web site includes a document called "Just the Facts for Consumers" which shows some possible health effects of high levels of arsenic over an extended period of time. Those effects include discoloration of the skin, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It also lists an increased risk of cancer. So far, city officials said no one in Creswell has reported to them any of these problems. You can get your tap water tested for arsenic. Its costs $25 at Delta Environmental and Analytical Laboratories in Eugene. The state also offers free well water testing for some homes the Sutherlin area. There are other Oregon communities with high levels of arsenic in the ground water that can get into wells and drinking water. The state has identified Sweet Home, Sutherlin, Cottage Grove, Ontario and Tualitan as areas with naturally occurring arsenic. If you still have concerns, there are people you can talk to. You can call Mike Howard,the water treatment operator for the City of Creswell. His phone number is (541) 895-4044. |
YouNews
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
Resources and info you need to prepare for the switch to DTV. Stay Connected |
Connect with KVALViewer PollMost Popular
|
November 21, 2008
- Eugene, Oregon
You
