14 News, The Tri-State's News and Weather Leader-Arsenic found in Posey Co. residents' well water

Arsenic found in Posey Co. residents' well water

By Gretchen Ross - bio | email 

POSEY COUNTY, IN (WFIE) - Dozens of Posey County residents who rely on private wells for water are finding it may not be fit to drink.

Residents who live along Lower Mount Vernon and Bluff roads just received tests results that show high levels of arsenic in their water.

Todd Thurman and his family have lived at their house off Lower Mount Vernon Road in Posey County since January.

They decided to get their well water tested in May after neighbors told Thurman his water could contain arsenic.

"They told us not to drink it or cook with it, but it's okay to shower and do your laundry in it," Thurman said.

Following Indiana Department of Environmental Management guidelines Thurman stores gallons of water in his home donated by his parents.

He just got the results from the arsenic testing late last week.

"The normal number is 1.2 and ours is 37.7," Thurman said.

IDEM officials told Thurman what effects arsenic could have on him and his neighbors if they keep drinking the water.

"If we ingest it over a period of time, it can kill you or cause paralysis," Thurman said.

Posey County Health Department Environmental Specialist, Denny Schaffer, said he is accepting water samples to ship off to Indianapolis for testing.

He said he's still working on finding a source for the arsenic contamination.

While the Thurman's stay away from using water straight from the tap, the city of Mount Vernon is looking for ways to serve those residents clean, fresh water. 

"It's not a question of whether we have enough water for them," Mount Vernon Water Superintendent Chuck Gray said. "It's getting it to them and getting a water main out to them is prohibitively expensive, so we have been trying to find ways to finance this so we can take care of them because the city does want to help them."

Right now, Gray said the city is applying for state loans and grants.

Another option on the table would be for residents to purchase their own filtration system.

Thurman doesn't trust them. 

"I don't trust filtration systems," Thurman said. "They get clogged up and you never know when to change it or if you are past the time to change it. It could still be filtering through."

Health Department officials said well water users have until noon Tuesday to get their samples in to be tested.

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