Antioch wells need to be tested for contaminates

Some Antioch-area residents with private wells are urged to have their water tested for possible contaminates, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday.

The presence of vinyl chloride, benzine, dichloromethane and other compounds have been detected during routine testing of groundwater, the IEPA's Rick Cobb said.

The industrial chemicals were found to be lower than the Illinois Groundwater Standard, but officials say their presence may be higher in private wells and are recommending testing.

The affected area is south of West North Avenue, west of Deep Lake Road, east of Tiffany Road, north of Route 173, north of Grimm Road and north of Harden Street. The area includes more than 1,500 wells in incorporated and unincorporated areas.

Water supplied by the village of Antioch meets all IEPA standards and is not recommended for testing, Cobb said. Antioch shut down a well that was a major source of contamination in 1997. And, the village's filtration system treats water before it is delivered to residents.

Long-term exposure to the chemicals does pose a health hazard, officials said.

"The risk of health effects depends on the levels of contaminates in the water and the length of exposure," Illinois Department of Public Health spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said in a news release. "Long-term exposure to these chemicals may result in an increased health risk to the liver and kidneys."

Arnold said residents should contact IDPH Regional Director Joe O'Connor at (630) 293-6800 for a list of laboratories certified to analyze drinking water for volatile compounds. He can also be reached via email at joe. o'connor@illinois.gov.

The IEPA tests groundwater every three years. The agency has sent out 46 contamination alerts since 2002, Cobb said. Fox Lake-area residents on well water were notified in May about similar contaminates.

Officials say the chemicals found in the Antioch area were used by industries that no longer exist there.

There are several responses and remedies if testing reveals unacceptable levels. Once the results are found, Cobb said, residents should work with the Lake County Health Department to determine the next steps.

Depending on levels, people may have to switch to bottled drinking water or install a home water treatment system, said Larry Mackey, water well program coordinator for the Lake County Health Department.

"The primary concern is the drinking water," Mackey said. "We can recommend systems to address the particular situation."