Well Contamination Update
Vicinity of Halifax and Virgilina Roads
September 16, 2008
There have been some positive developments since the last update. Several studies have been completed and both the likely source and the extent of the contamination have been determined. In August, a meeting was held with representatives from Roxboro, Person County, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It was agreed that construction of a public water line to serve the affected homes would be the best way to protect public health.
Based on the comprehensive studies and reports submitted by scientists and engineers with the NC Division of Waste Management, the EPA feels confident that federal funds will be made available to pay for the water line construction. Unfortunately, these funds will not be available until September 2009. Waiting until September 2009, to begin the required engineering and design work could delay the project by more than a year. In order to allow construction to start as soon as federal funds become available, the Person County Board of Commissioners generously approved funding for the required engineering and design work. Preliminary design work has already been started.
All homes will be re-sampled next month in order to monitor possible changes in water quality. Homeowners and residents will be mailed copies of the results. In addition to the homes previously sampled, other homes in the vicinity may also be sampled to be sure that they have not been affected.
A public meeting is being scheduled for the middle of October. Representatives from the EPA, NCDENR, and Person County will be available to listen to public concerns and answer any questions. The date and time of the meeting will be posted on this web site (http://health.personcounty.net/PCHD/) and in the Courier Times.
Please feel free to contact Harold Kelly at the Person County Health Department if you have any questions (336-597-1790).
Contact Information
Local Contacts:
Person County Health Dept.- Environmental Health
Harold Kelly, Supervisor
(336)597-1790 or hkelly@personcounty.net
Person County Health Dept.
Janet Clayton, Director
(336)597-2204 or jclayton@personcounty.net
State Contacts:
North Carolina Division of Public Health
Dr. Ken Rudo, Toxicologist
(919)707-5911
NCDENR- Underground Storage Tank Division
Bob Davies, Environmental Supervisor III
(919)715-6179 or robert.davies@ncmail.net
NCDENR- Super Fund Site Evaluation & Removal Branch
Jim Bateson, Branch Head
(919)508-8447 or james.bateson@ncmail.net
Federal Contacts:
US EPA Region 4
Ken Rhame, Federal On-Scene Coordinator
Emergency Response Branch
(919) 513-2516
ATSDR(Agency for Toxic Substance & Disease Registry)
Robert Safay
(404)562-1782 or 1-800-241-1754, ext. 1782
Safay.Robert@EPA.GOV
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/