ABC News 12/23/02

Traces Of Gasoline In Water Supply Alarms Residents In Ringwood

(New York-WABC, December 23, 2002) — A N.J. community is worried about what's in the water -- and how long it's been there. Traces of a gasoline additive found its way into the water supply in Ringwood more than a year ago.
Residents are just learning about it now. Anthony Johnson reports the story.
Water from many faucets in the area have been tested and contain high-levels of the gasoline additive, MTBE. The culprit is a catch bucket at a local gas station that apparently has cracks and the chemical seeped into the ground and contaminated well water.
Karen Venezia, Ringwood Resident: "It's very scary. I don't know what the long term health effects of this are going to be and that is very frightening...especially with my children."
Residents say they don't know how long the problem has existed. And they feel long after the township knew there was a leak, it failed to to warn homeowners.
Nick Norman, Ringwood Resident: "There is a disagreement as to who knew...who on the council knew. Was it the health officials that knew about it and didn't report it?"
The Mayor has received information about MTBE findings in the water and is asking residents to allow tests to be taken at over 50 homes near the gas station. And he says it's time to stop finger pointing and work to solve the problem.
Allan Van Eck, Ringwood Mayor: "No one really knows how you get it out of the ground...how long it will stay in the ground...whether or not you can take it out of the soil. We have wells here. I'm very concerned about that."
The well water used at a local shopping mall exceeds the level of MTBE that the state says is safe. The chemical is used in gasoline to help reduce emissions and has been linked to cancer. The Ringwood Ambulance Corps, which is the town's emergency center, has the warning signs after high-levels of MTBE were discovered in the water. Residents in a new housing development wonder if the chemical is spreading.
Louise Loweth, Ringwood Resident: "It seems to be that there is a plumb that keeps on moving. So...I think because no one really knows where the plumb is going that at this time we should take some precautionary measures."
Local political leaders and residents say the only real solution to the problem is for the owner of the Mobil gas station to provide public water to the residents who have contaminated wells.
There are more water worries in other area over the weekend...4,500 Westchester county residents need to boil their water before drinking or cooking. A water main broke Friday in Hawthorne. Crews finally restored service Sunday night, but health officials still want people in the area to take precautions through Christmas. Meanwhile, officials are keeping an eye on the water quality.

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