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Water-well contamination points toward road salt
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - November 25, 2009)
Water-well contamination points toward road salt
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is conducting water-well tests in Chardon Township in search of the source of contamination of one area well.
Township Trustee Charles Strazinsky Jr. said he has met with one family living near Township Hall that has concerns that the source may be the township's road garage, where road salt is stored. Although the salt is stored in a shed, it is brought out for mixing with cinders before spreading.
Mr. Strazinsky said letters sent to about 15 residents indicated that the EPA would begin testing wells Nov. 23.
"If we find we're at fault, we'll take care of it," he said.
However, Trustee Michael Brown said there is no evidence at this point to suggest that the township is at fault. "There's nothing now that shows it is," he said.
Mr. Strazinsky said EPA testing results should be known possibly by the end of December or the start of January.
Preliminary tests of one of three wells at nearby homes show salt contamination, he said, and preliminary theories on the source point to road salt and deicers.
Still, he said, it appears to be an isolated case, because no other residents in the immediate area have experienced contamination.
Mr. Strazinsky said the case has been developing for months. He said the resident in question initially drilled a water well that went to a depth of 360 feet. He said a second well went 220 feet. Neither well was satisfactory, with the first having a high sulfur concentration and the second a high salt content, he said.
After Mr. Strazinsky worked with the family, he was able to get a third well drilled to a depth of 62 feet, and it is producing satisfactory tasting water.
Trustee Steven Borawski said it is odd that the salt would show in a deeper well, rather than the shallower one, but that appears to be the case.
The family said they have invested nearly $30,000 in trying to get good water from their wells and lost one pump because of the salt. They have asked the township to pay $25,000 of those expenses, Mr. Strazinsky said.
Mr. Brown also has said he has doubts that the township is at fault in the matter. He said initial test results show that, besides salt, other elements appear to be higher than normal limits.
Maps of the topography of the area also seem to indicate that it is unlikely salt migrated from the township garage toward the home and its wells, he said. The land falls away from the family's property.
Trustees said the salt in the well might be from a natural salt dome in the earth.
Mr. Strazinsky said Geauga County health officials have said one sign that contamination is occurring from the road garage would be dead vegetation or animals in the immediate area. However, he said, no dead vegetation or animals are evident.
Still, he said, there is concern, because the salt shed is practically in the back yard of the concerned family.
If the test results show the road garage is responsible, Mr. Strazinsky said, the township will take immediate steps to resolve the issue. If not, he said, he still would like to assist residents in any way he can to help them with their problems.
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