South Elgin residents urged to test well water

The Kane County Health Department is advising residents who obtain their drinking water from private wells in the South Elgin area to test their wells for possible contamination. Routine testing of South Elgin community water supply wells indicate that contaminants could be present in the area's private wells.

The contaminant detected is tetracloroethylene, a chemical used in dry cleaning and manufacturing processes. The levels of PCE in the South Elgin water were at levels below the Illinois Groundwater Standard of five parts per billion. However, it is possible that private wells in the area using the same groundwater could contain levels greater than those found in the community well because the volume of water in a community well could dilute any contaminants.

"We are recommending that homeowners with private wells who live in the affected area have their water tested for volatile organic compounds, specifically PCE," said Paul Kuehnert, executive director. "Now that we have seen small amounts of the contaminant in the community water supply, it is possible that private wells could be affected too. If a problem is found during testing, there are solutions out there to remedy the situation."

The last test conducted on the South Elgin water supply in October 2009 showed levels of PCE at 1.3 parts per billion, well below the Illinois standard of 5 ppb. For comparison purposes, one tablespoon added to an Olympic-sized swimming pool would equal one part per billion.

Although it has not been shown to cause cancer in people, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has determined that PCE may reasonably be anticipated to be a human carcinogen. Some people who drink water containing PCE well in excess of the maximum contaminant level for many years could have problems with their liver and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Residents with private wells located within or near the area east of Randall Road, south of the College Green Road, west of the Fox River, and north of Hopps Road are encouraged to have their water tested for volatile organic compounds by a private laboratory.