Bug Killer In The Drinking Water?

To the Editor,

I am not happy about the dangerous West Nile virus that can be transmitted by mosquitoes.

However, I am appalled that Newtown would consider “preemptive larviciding” (The Bee, June 2, 2000), which could risk contamination of our drinking water.

A large number of people in town get their water from individual wells. Floating solid cakes of pesticide or spraying will contaminate the ground water and, therefore, our drinking water.

For example, the long-term standing water in an improperly graded storm drain is less than 100 feet from my well and upstream from the wells of my neighbors.

I understand very well the nasty risks from viruses such as West Nile, but a cardinal rule of medicine is “First, do no harm.” I don’t want cancer down the line.

Why isn’t someone thinking about the contamination of the water supply?

Would you like to drink some bug killer, which I have been assured by Mr Rosenthal will not harm humans? Should we put larvicide in Taunton Lake? Why not?

Very truly yours,

Priscilla H. Loewenstine

9 Longview Heights Road                    June 19, 2000