FRISCO — Traces of pollution in a relatively new well on the Frisco peninsula could help spur the Town to study the idea of a source water protection plan.
“It’s very important that we protect the integrity of our water supply,†said Frisco Town Councilmember Tom Looby, who has been advocating the plan for several years. “Our groundwater is our insurance policy,†Looby said.
The toxic chemical found in the water is called ethylene dibromide (EDB) and has been classified as a probable carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency. It was used as an additive in leaded gasoline and as a soil and grain fumigant until it was banned by the EPA about 20 years ago. According to an EPA fact sheet, EDB is still used in the treatment of felled logs for bark beetles and termites.
The concentrations of EDB found in well number 7 are very low, at .27 parts per billion, but exceed EPA limits. Town officials said the contamination doesn’t pose any threat to the Town’s existing drinking water supply.
The dangers of ethylene dibromide:
Exposure to ethylene dibromide primarily occurs from its past use as an additive to leaded gasoline and as a fumigant. Ethylene dibromide is extremely toxic to humans. The chronic (long-term) effects of exposure to ethylene dibromide have not been well documented in humans. Animal studies indicate that chronic exposure to ethylene dibromide may result in toxic effects to the liver, kidney, and the testis, irrespective of the route of exposure.
Limited data on men occupationally exposed to ethylene dibromide indicate that long-term exposure to ethylene dibromide can impair reproduction by damaging sperm cells in the testicles. Several animal studies indicate that long-term exposure to ethylene dibromideincreases the incidences of a variety of tumors in rats and mice in both sexes by all routes of exposure.
EPA has classified ethylene dibromide as a Group B2, probable human carcinogen.
Buying a Home that is serviced by Well Water in the Mountains is very common. In fact, it’s the norm.
Should I have my well tested?
Yes. In 1999 – 2000, contaminated private well water caused 26% of the drinking water outbreaks that made people sick. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rules that protect public drinking water systems do not apply to privately owned wells. Most states have rules for private wells, but these rules may not completely protect your private well. In other words, as a private well owner, it is up to you to make sure that your well water is safe to drink. Your local health or environmental department can help advise you.
When should I have my well tested?
Check your well every spring to make sure there are no mechanical problems; test it once each year for germs and once every two to three years for harmful chemicals. You should also have your well tested if:
- There are known problems with well water in your area
- You have experienced problems near your well (i.e., flooding, land disturbances, and nearby waste disposal sites)
- You replace or repair any part of your well system.
How do I find out if my well is contaminated?
The only way to find out if your well water is contaminated is to test it. You can contact your health or environmental department, or a private laboratory to test for germs and harmful chemicals. In some states, the drilling contractor must test a new well after it is built. However, as a well owner, it is up to you to maintain your well and have it tested regularly.
How do germs and chemicals get into my well water?
Germs and chemicals can get into your well water and contaminate it in different ways. Some germs and chemicals occur naturally. For example, heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium are naturally found in rocks and soil and sometimes seep into ground water. Other contaminants come from human and animal waste resulting from polluted storm water runoff, agricultural runoff, flooded sewers, or individual septic systems that are not working properly.
Where do I go to have my well water tested?
State and local health or environmental departments often test for bacteria and nitrates. Health or environmental departments, or county governments should have a list of the state-certified (licensed) laboratories in your area that test for a variety of substances.
Others who may be able to provide you with this listing include:
- Your State Laboratory Certification Officer
- EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791
REAL ESTATE
If you would like additional information about real estate in Breckenridge Colorado as well as anywhere in Summit County Colorado contact us at 1-800-791-3990 ext 421.
Jeffery McClintock, is a real estate broker in Summit County and prides himself on providing clients with professional guidance in all phases of residential new construction, including market research, product development, consulting, marketing and advertising. His personal mission is to bring to you a level of knowledge, experience, commitment, high standards and results to answer your real estate needs. He believes, the most effective way to provide superior service is to build a strong working relationship with you. His system includes regular consultations and feedback, which is the best tool for identifying and clarifying your real estate objectives and help define strategic solutions.
