I’m really happy to share that there is no real update this week on the chemical contamination found in monitoring wells in the vicinity of the LL&S Landfill at 87 Lowell Road, Salem.
There were issues with E.coli at Salem beach sites earlier in the month at Captain’s Pond. At the last test, on June 13, Captain’s Pond’s levels of E.coli were within acceptable level. All other town water beaches were in an acceptable range at each testing.
http://www.townofsalemnh.org/sites/salemnh/files/u196/beach_testing_results-june-2016.pdf
After concern was raised about the levels of man-made chemicals in the monitoring wells at the LL&S Landfill site, authorities are investigating other private wells in the area. They report that they have taken water samples from 10 locations, and have another 9 scheduled.
As it takes four weeks for the results of testing of water samples to be returned, it will be some time before we know the true extent of the contamination.
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs), also called perfluoroalkyls, are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used for decades to manufacture household and commercial products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water.
Two PFC’s, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), were recently found in a monitoring well near the LL&S Landfill at 88 Lowell Road.
While we wait to find out how serious the well-water contamination in Salem is, if you want to learn more, the NH Department of Health & Human Services has issued a very comprehensive document answering most questions about Perfluorochemicals (PFC’s). http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/pfcs/documents/pfc-faqs-gen.pdf
For the full story, read our earlier posts:
https://www.bonnie4salem.us/contaminated-water-found-in-salem/
https://www.bonnie4salem.us/contaminated-water-update-1/
Update: Salem appears to have lucked out. For now.
https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/documents/pfoa-public-water-results-20170503.pdf
For more info:
http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/pfcs/documents/pfc-faqs-gen.pdf