The TCE Blog

The following letter to the editor appeared in The Capital Times (Madison, WI) a few days ago. We reprint it here in full with the author’s permission (thanks Laura):

Dear Editor: Even though levels of trichloroethylene (TCE) in groundwater are at an all-time high in a monitoring well on the far west side of the Badger Army Ammunition Plant (adjacent to the Bluffview Community in the town of Sumpter), the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources remains unwilling to ask the Army to investigate the problem.

From September 2002 to December 2005, levels have risen from 0.7 parts per billion to 25 ppb, far exceeding the safe drinking water standard of 5 ppb. When unsafe levels of the carcinogenic solvent were detected in groundwater monitoring well BGM-9103 last spring, the DNR asked the Army to test six residential wells located on Maple Park Drive, Maple Park Road, County C, and Old Bluff Trail Road near U.S. 12. TCE was not detected in any of the wells.

Because the source of the contamination, groundwater flow direction and potential contamination problems at depth are still unknown, Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger has been asking for an investigation for more than a year.

When TCE levels rose to 14.4 ppb, nearly three times the safe standard, last summer, the DNR wrote to CSWAB: “Given the relatively low concentrations in that well, at this point I am not going to ask the Army to complete additional investigation into possible sources, but will require them to continue sampling the well. I think Army resources can be better used on other projects at the plant. However, if the concentrations rise dramatically, then I may change this position and require more efforts by the Army on this matter.” So far, the DNR hasn’t done so.

“If the nearby drinking water well owners have water quality questions or concerns, we here at the department encourage them to contact us,” DNR representative Hank Kuehling wrote to us. His phone number is 608-275-3286, or e-mail Harlan.Kuehling@dnr.state.wi.us.

Please take a few moments and call or e-mail the DNR. Together, we can make a difference.

Laura Olah, Executive Director

Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger

E12629 Weigand’s Bay South

Merrimac, WI 53561

Phone: (608) 643-3124

Email: info@cswab.org

Website: www.cswab.org

Channel 27 News (WKOW) from Madison, Wisconsin reports:

The Badger Restoration Advisory Board is worried about groundwater on the far west side of the Sauk County plant.

A recent report by Army consultants shows un-safe levels of a cancer-causing solvent called TCE have shown up in well samples since 2002.

Board members want the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to take action ensure the drinking wells near the plant are safe.

Inactive since 1976, the plant was used to make propellants for cannons, rockets and small arms.

In a related story from a few weeks back, Laura Olah, executive director of Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger, said “the town needs to go to the county state and federal officials to insist the Army finish cleaning up the mess they made.”