Millstone Water District informs customers of arsenic levels above drinking water standards

EDDYVILLE, Ill. (WSIL) -- A local water district has informed their customers of the drinking water having arsenic levels above drinking water standards.

Customers of the Millstone Water District shared with News 3 a letter from the water district, informing them about the levels of arsenic in their drinking water system.

One customer said the letter came in the mail to their address over the weekend.

The letter states the testing results were received on October 7, 2024, and show their system exceeds the standard, or maximum contaminant level for arsenic. They stated the standard level for arsenic is 0.010 milligrams per liter (mg/L). They also stated the average level of arsenic over the last year was 0.011 mg/L.

The letter reads as follows...

Millstone Water District letter

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

Millstone Water District Has Levels of Arsenic Above Drinking Water Standards

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Testing results we received on Monday, October 7h, 2024 show that our system exceeds the standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), for arsenic. The standard for arsenic is 0.010 milligrams per liter (mg/L). The average level of arsenic over the last year was 0.011 (mg/L).

What should I do?

You do not need to use an alternative (e.g., bottled) water supply. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.

What does this mean?

This is a notification of your health risk due to exposure to elevated levels of arsenic.

Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years could experience skin damage or problems with their circulatory system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

What happened? What is being done?

Millstone Water District is working with its operator, engineering firm and the Illinois EPA to make the necessary changes to our water treatment process to ensure we are doing all we can at this time to mitigate the Arsenic issue. We are confident that we have taken the necessary steps for future compliance. We anticipate resolving the issue by January 1, 2025.

For more information, please contact Casey Johnson at (618) 672-4228 or PO Box 39, Eddyville, IL 62928.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by Millstone Water District.

Water System ID# IL 1515050

Date distributed

11/1/2024