PUBLIC NOTICE DRINKING WATER WARNING
TESTS SHOW PERCHLORATE IN WATER
TOWN OF MARION, MA
PWS ID # 4169000 POSTED: September 17, 2010
WATER SHOULD NOT BE CONSUMED BY PREGNANT WOMEN, NURSING MOTHERS, INFANTS, CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 12, AND PEOPLE WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM. THESE INDIVIDUALS SHOULD NOT INGEST WATER THAT EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL OF 2.0 ug/l.
A routine sample analyzed on September 7, 2010 showed a perchlorate concentration in the drinking water of 2.2 ug/l (parts per billion). This exceeds the perchlorate standard or maximum comtaminant level (MCL), of 2.0 ug/l. A confirmation sample showed a perchlorate concentration of 2.0 ug/l. The results of this test were received on Friday, September 17, 2010 and our certified operator notified MassDEP immediately. Concurrently, sampling was conducted in the individual wells serving the plant and perchlorate was present only in the West Well. The West Well was shut down following receipt of sample results and is not in use at this time.
Possible Health Effects
Perchlorate interferes with the normal function of the thyroid gland and thus has the potential to affect growth and development and could cause brain damage and other adverse effects, particularly in fetuses and infants.
What should I do?
1. As a precaution, ice cubes, juices, baby formula, and other beverages prepared since September 15, 2010 should be discarded.
2. The general population is advised not to drink the water if the levels exceed 18 ppb. The samples discussed in this public notice do not exceed that level.
3. If you are concerned about effects of previous exposure to perchlorate on your thyroid functions, you should contact your primary health care provider.
What happened? What is being done?
Perchlorate is an inorganic chemical widely used as an oxidizer in fireworks, blasting agents and in other industrial products. The results of previous testing taken on the wells showed no or very little detection of perchlorate. We are investigating the source of the contamination and evaluating next steps in cooperation with the MassDEP. This incident underscores the need for everyone to be vigilant in protecting public water supplies and to report any suspicious activity or dumping near sources of supply.
If you have any information on the use of fireworks or other possible causes of this contamination, require additional information, or have any general questions, please contact the Marion Water Division at 508-748-3540.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand mail.
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