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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, May 8, 2006
Contact:
Jane Mountjoy-Venning, Environmental Educator (306) 754-4111, ext. 7623,
venninj@co.thurston.wa.us
Upcoming
Workshop Focuses on Keeping Resident Well Water Safe
OLYMPIA – The Thurston County Department of Public Health and Social
Services is conducting a free workshop called “Keeping Your Well, Well” on
May 17 to help county well owners keep their drinking water safe.
The workshops are designed to help residents:
- Identify
potential pollution sources in and around their well.
- Eliminate
potential pathways for contaminates to enter their drinking water.
- Learn
how to test their well for contaminants.
Workshop participants will receive free packets of information to take
home including a personalized well maintenance worksheet.
One of the most common well contaminants in
Thurston
County
is nitrates, which can come from septic systems, surface animal waste and
fertilizers. Nitrates are particularly harmful to pregnant women, infants and
people with compromised immune systems. The chemicals interfere with the
blood’s ability to carry oxygen to vital body tissues and can cause blue
baby syndrome or “methemoglobinemia”. Severe cases of blue baby syndrome
can result in brain damage or death.
Under federal and state law, community water systems are checked for
contaminates, including nitrates, are a regular basis. People on individual
wells, however, are responsible for assuring the safety of their own water
supply.
Keeping
Your Well, Well workshop:
Wednesday, May 17, 7 pm to 9 pm
Rochester
Primary School
,
7440 James Rd. SW
To
register: call (360) 754-4111, TDD
(360) 754-2933; or e-mail venninj@co.thurston.wa.us.
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