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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, February 27, 2002
| Contact: | Bob
Mead, Thurston County
Hydrogeologist, 360-754-4111 | | Sandy Howard,
Department of Ecology Public Information Manager, 360-407-6239 | | Gerald Tousley,
Thurston County Environmental Health, 360-754-4111 |
AGENCIES
WORK TO PROTECT ARTESIAN WELL WATER
OLYMPIA – After detection of traces of chemical contaminants in an
inaccessible artesian well in downtown Olympia, a group of state and local
government organizations is working to ensure the quality of the water from
other wells in the area.
The discovery of low levels of dry cleaning solvents and petroleum
products in the well water came as part of an earlier investigation into
groundwater contamination in the area of Cherry Street and Union Avenue.
At that time, the State Department of Health recommended water quality
testing at five artesian well sites downtown with the testing paid for by the
State Department of Ecology. “The good news,” says Gerald Tousley of Thurston County
Environmental Health, “is that four of the wells tested showed no
contamination. That includes the
popular Diamond Parking lot well and two at area restaurants.
The well of concern is not open to the public.”
The State Health Department, State Department of Ecology, City of
Olympia and Thurston County are all working together to track any changes in
the situation. Ecology officials
say the agency will pay for another round of testing of the wells later this
year.
Hydrogeologist Bob Mead of Thurston County says the outlook is generally
good for the four wells that are accessed by the public.
“The artesian water comes from a lower aquifer that is down 100 feet
or more. That water remains
relatively pure and is separated by an impervious layer from the more shallow
ground water near the surface, which is contaminated with various chemicals
from historic industrial and commercial uses.”
Investigators say however, they will be keeping an eye on the situation.
A number of factors are worth continued consideration including-
·
The age
of the wells, some of which were drilled 100 years ago.
·
The
possibility they were impacted by last year’s Nisqually Earthquake.
·
Changes
in the aquifers, including movement of contaminants within the shallow
groundwater layer.
The agencies will continue to work together to track potential changes
in the water quality at the artesian wells.
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