Camden Drinking Water Camden Drinking Water Investigation - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Camden Drinking Water Camden Drinking Water Investigation Investigation Ohi Ohi Ohio EPA Update Ohio EPA Update EPA U d t EPA U d t August 19, 2010 August 19, 2010

Key Points Key Points Key Points Key Points • Water is safe Water is safe • Tap water meets health-based standards • Water taste is unacceptable W t t t i t bl

Overview Overview Overview Overview • Investigation • Investigation • Water test results • Source of contamination • Water treatment • Response • Response

Investigation Investigation Investigation Investigation • Drinking water complaint received Drinking water complaint received • On-site investigation findings – Salt pile identification Salt pile identification – Active drain line from salt pile – Field testing of water in distribution Field testing of water in distribution • Provided education information on sodium

Investigation Investigation Investigation Investigation • Follow-up investigation Follow up investigation – Confirmation of road salt contaminants in drinking water supply g pp y – Continued increase in road salt contaminants

Investigation Investigation Investigation Investigation • Road salt contaminants Road salt contaminants – Salt (sodium and chloride) – Cyanide (Well #3 only) Cyanide (Well #3 only) • The existing well field will be impacted for an unknown period unknown period • Tap water continues to meet all health-based drinking water standards d g ate sta da ds

Water Test Results Water Test Results Water Test Results Water Test Results • Sodium: Detected at increased levels – A health risk standard for sodium has not been established by U.S. EPA – Health concern for individuals on a sodium restricted diet • Chloride: Detected at increased levels – Secondary standard for chloride because of y its effect on taste • Cyanide: Not detected in Well #2 or tap water • Cyanide: Not detected in Well #2 or tap water

Sodium Comparison Sodium Comparison Sodium Comparison Sodium Comparison Soda pop Soda pop 150 – 450 mg/L 150 450 mg/L Camden Well #2 200 mg/L Domestic softened 300 mg/L water Sports drink 450 mg/L Camden Well #3 660 mg/L Canned chicken noodle 5000 mg/L soup

Source of the Contamination Source of the Contamination Source of the Contamination Source of the Contamination • Two large salt piles located north of the well field Two large salt piles located north of the well field – Previously identified as potential source of contamination by Ohio EPA y • Unauthorized discharges – Ohio EPA Notice of Violation Ohio EPA Notice of Violation

August 3, 2010

August 4, 2010

August 5, 2010

Salt piles Salt piles Drain line discharge Drain line discharge Well field Well field

Water Treatment Water Treatment Water Treatment Water Treatment • Camden treats groundwater with disinfection Camden treats groundwater with disinfection only • Current treatment cannot remove salt • Tap water is safe for all purposes – No health-based standards for salt in drinking No health based standards for salt in drinking water – Does affect taste oes a ect taste

Response Response Response Response • Requested removal of of drain line Requested removal of of drain line – A portion of the drain has been removed • Asked for salt piles to be covered Asked for salt piles to be covered • Initiated groundwater investigation – Where salt is Where salt is – Where salt is going – Find ways to minimize impacts to well field Find ways to minimize impacts to well field

Response Response Response Response • Ongoing testing of raw and finished water Ongoing testing of raw and finished water – Daily samples with field kit – Weekly samples sent to Ohio EPA approved Weekly samples sent to Ohio EPA approved laboratories • Ohio EPA drilling rig is sampling groundwater Ohio EPA drilling rig is sampling groundwater • Camden continues to provide bottled water for those who request it t ose o equest t

Response Response Response Response • Camden is currently looking for a new water Camden is currently looking for a new water source – Identified potential new well sites p – Possible connection to a neighboring water system y

Contacts Contacts Contacts Contacts Ohio EPA Ohio EPA Erika Wiggins (614) 644-2160 (614) 644-2160 erika.wiggins@epa.ohio.gov Preble County Health District Melissa Wallace Melissa Wallace •(937)472-0087 •Melissa@preblecountyhealth.org M li @ bl t h lth •