Date: Fri 03-Nov-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Apple-Blossom-contamination

Full Text:

Apple Blossom Lane Neighborhood Finds More Talk Gets More Action

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Residents with contaminated wells in the area of Apple Blossom Lane who have

quietly awaited information for the past two years, are now expressing their

concerns loudly and clearly to town and state officials. In response, a

backlog of water sampling reports have been received by homeowners and a

public informational meeting has been set for Tuesday, December 5, at 7 pm in

Newtown High School auditorium.

"Those in power assume if no [resident] says anything, it's not such a

pressing problem," said Oskar Berendsohn of Apple Blossom Lane. He just

received results of a water test done in early summer and his well showed no

detectable contaminants. "I feel better knowing that I didn't have anything,

but also feel good in that there is some action in this...The old axiom of

squeaking wheels getting the grease is very true."

Donald Ferris, also of Apple Blossom Lane, said he and his wife will continue

to drink bottled water because he doesn't "trust the system." Less than three

and half months after installation of a carbon filtration system, one of their

filters had to be replaced. Mr Ferris said the water analyst from the DEP told

him that the filter, itself, was contaminated resulting in low levels of

trichloroethane that were well below the action level established by the

state. Detectable levels of tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and MTBE, however, were

effectively removed by the filtration system.

"And here's the thing - On October 24 I got a whole series of reports from

Jonathan Goldman [of the DEP] of samples taken in June, July, September and

October. I got them all at once - two came in the mail and two he brought in

person. This came after the article in the newspaper."

A panel comprised of members of the Health District, Finance Department, and

Public Works has selected an environmental consultant to "prepare the

documents and oversee the actions required" by the state mandate relating to

the contaminated well situation on Apple Blossom Lane, Prospect Drive, Dogwood

Terrace, and a small section of South Main Street. The firm SEA Consultants,

Inc. of Rocky Hill was recommended to Newtown's purchasing authority. Once the

town acts on this choice, the DEP must approve the selection.

"This is truly a problem for experts in that particular field," commented Mr

Berendsohn. "Newtown cannot afford to keep a staff of highly skilled people

who are specialists in the field - it's just impossible. I'm not knocking the

town... It's a highly specialized problem."

Residents of the four streets who do not yet have well contamination, and

homeowners on neighboring roads want to make certain they are not left out of

any investigation of the problem nor of a "permanent" solution. But Newtown

Director of Health Mark Cooper said, "In any investigation, you are

continually obtaining information and data...and systematically evaluating it

and comparing it to what you already know. Any time new information should

indicate that we should go to a new neighborhood, a different neighborhood,

across town , that will be done. It is part of a normal investigation. And it

is based on the judgment of the [environmental] consultant in consultation

with the DEP."

Testing continues and the health department staff is addressing each inquiry

as quickly as possible. For instance, Julie Stern of Park Lane was concerned

about her water supply because of her close proximity to the affected area.

She requested a water test and someone came out right away.

"They said they didn't think we were in the 'target area,'" said Mrs Stern.

"[But] I'm glad they responded so promptly."

Mrs Stern recalled some of the former home businesses operated in the affected

area that may have used PCE. She, along with others may be able to expedite or

help focus the DEP's investigation of the contamination source. No source has

yet been identified.

"More people are interested and are starting to ask questions," said Mr

Berendsohn. "You shine light on a topic, and as a result, have a better chance

to understand the nature and extend of the problem and to correct it."

Residents and interested townspeople are invited to attend the meeting on

December 5. "We will be discussing [the issues], taking questions, and

responding to concerns that are brought up," said Mr Cooper. A history of "why

we are where we are" will be offered, and a state epidemiologist will address

community risk for this water contamination and what it means for the people

whose homes are affected, he said. Mr Cooper will also be at the meeting to

answer questions, as will environmental analyst Jonathan Goldman of the DEP's

Bureau of Water Management.