Jul 1, 2008 11:00 pm US/Eastern
High Levels Of Arsenic Found In Montco. Water
GILBERTSVILLE, Pa. (CBS 3) ―
Arsenic has been discovered in the water of a Montgomery County town and residents are wondering
why it took so long for them to find out.
High arsenic levels found in drinking and bathing water
violates federal standards and more than 2,000 residents in Gilbertsville are
worried for their health.
The Superior Water Company in Montgomery County
sent a letter to the 2,800 residents of Gilbertsville on June 26,
warning them of high arsenic levels above drinking water standards.
The letter to residents did state that the water was 'not
an immediate risk' and it also stated that residents didn't need to make the
switch to bottled water.
Gilbertsville residents were left scratching their heads
when the letter stated the arsenic was detected in the water on March 11.
Concerned neighbors are wondering why it took over a month
for them to be notified.
"Why weren't we notified with big red letters and
certified mail," said Barbara Richter of Gilbertsville.
State Officials said the arsenic isn't from pollution and
it occurs naturally in the earth. Officials also noted at the levels of arsenic
found in the drinking water, you would have to be exposed to it for 70 years to
even have a slight health risk.
Officials at the Superior Water Company said they are
spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to correct the problem, and the process will
take six months to correct.
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