[CPEO-MEF] Re-post: Merrimac Asks Army for Better Well Testing

[Aimee Houghton <aimeeh@cpeo.org>]

[From Laura Olah]

October 15, 2001

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

For more information, contact:
Laura Olah, CSWAB (608) 643-3124


Merrimac Asks Army for Better Well Testing

MERRIMAC -- On October 2, the Town of Merrimac board unanimously passed
a resolution urging the U.S. Army to provide better testing of
groundwater and drinking water resources in the township.

In recent months, unsafe levels of groundwater contamination have been
detected at the boundary of Badger Army Ammunition Plant within the
Township of Merrimac.  The contamination represents a potential threat
to nearby residents that rely on groundwater for their drinking water.

All agencies involved, including the U.S. Army, the WDNR, and the USEPA,
agree that significant study is needed before the groundwater problems
in and around the northeast corner of Badger are completely understood.
The WDNR has recommended that the groundwater inside Badger be regularly
monitored for VOCs, SVOCs, explosives, sulfate, and possibly manganese
and boron.

Merrimac is strongly urging the U.S. Army to provide testing for nearby
residential wells on the same schedule and for the same contaminants
that the WDNR has recommended for onsite wells.  The town board has
asked that this testing be continued until it is convinced that
contamination emanating from Badger is no longer a potential threat to
its groundwater and drinking water resources.

The board has requested that (at a minimum) testing be offered at the
Army’s expense for all wells near the northeast corner of Badger ­ an
area extended south to Inspiration Drive, north to Halweg Road, and east
to State Highway 113 and Lucille Lane.

“We believe township residents should be satisfied that the water they
use is clean and completely free from any contamination that might be
coming from Badger and that it is the Army’s responsibility to provide
these assurances,” the resolution concluded.

--
Laura Olah, Executive Director
Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger
E12629 Weigand's Bay South
Merrimac, WI  53561
phone (608)643-3124
fax (608)643-0005 alt fax (608)643-2682
Email: olah@speagle.com
Website: http://www.cswab.com


Please note new phone number and address below.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aimee R. Houghton
Associate Director, CPEO
1101 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC  20036
tel: 202-452-8039; fax: 202-452-8095
Email: aimeeh@cpeo.org
www.cpeo.org
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