For immediate release February 6, 2006

ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION ISSUES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OWNERS OF RESIDENTIAL WATER WELLS
RESIDENTS SOUTH AND WEST OF CLOSED CITY OF MCKENZIE LANDFILL ARE ADVISED TO CONNECT TO THE PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY OR FILTER THEIR WELL WATER

Nashville, Tenn. - The Department of Environment and Conservation recommends that households using residential water wells in the areas west and south of the closed City of McKenzie Landfill connect to the public water supply or add a carbon filtering system to their well.

Groundwater contamination has been detected at the landfill and in areas within one mile to the west and south. In response, the Department of Environment and Conservation has required the City of McKenzie to sample residential water wells in the areas west and south of the landfill, which is located off Connie Allen Road.

While the source of the contamination is being investigated and a long-term corrective remedy developed, the Department of Environment and Conservation wants to make sure area residents have access to all available information so they can make informed decisions concerning continued use of private wells in the area.

Residents whose wells have been previously sampled have been notified of the results for their wells.

"Even if the previous sampling did not indicate contamination, there is still a possibility that contamination will migrate to wells in this area in time," explains James Warren, field office manager for the Division of Solid Waste Management in the Department of Environment and Conservation's office in Jackson. "Connecting to the public water supply or adding and maintaining a carbon filtering system is the best way to ensure the protection of area residents who currently rely on residential water wells as we continue to investigate the source of the contamination and options for long-term corrective actions."

The City of McKenzie has extended public water lines and offered free hook up in the areas that have shown groundwater contamination.

"We have worked closely with the City of McKenzie and local officials, and will continue to do so as we carry on the investigation of this situation," said Mike Apple, director of the Division of Solid Waste Management for the Department of Environment and Conservation. "That will include some additional sampling activities. We are currently in the process of planning and prioritizing those activities and will be contacting residential well owners directly regarding additional sampling of individual wells."

All residential wells identified within a one-mile radius to the west and south of the landfill have been sampled for volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). Sampling results indicated that VOCs have been detected in many of the wells in the area with Trichloroethene, commonly referred to as TCE, being the primary contaminant detected.

The federal Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) for TCE in drinking water supplies is five parts per billion. Sampling results in area wells indicated that TCE was detected in 11 wells at levels exceeding the limit. TCE and other VOCs were also detected - but at levels below the MCL - in 15 other water wells in the area. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the regulatory standard for public water supplies based on health, economic, and technological information.

TCE is a colorless or blue organic liquid with a chloroform-like odor. It is used to remove grease from fabricated metal parts and some textiles. According to health studies, some people who drink or shower in water containing trichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. More information concerning TCE is available on EPA Web site at www.epa.gov/safewater/dwh/c-voc/trichlor.html.

Residents with individual questions or concerns may contact the Department of Environment and Conservation's environmental field office in Jackson for information at (731) 512-1300 or toll free at 1-888-891-TDEC (8332).

Owners of private drinking water wells can also learn more about drinking water safety in general at www.epa.gov/safewater/privatewells.

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For more information contact:

Dana Coleman
(615) 253-1916 (Office)

Tisha Calabrese-Benton
(865) 594-5442 (Office)