Arsenic Contamination in the Water Supply

 in the Shore and Bluff Road Areas of Northport

In 1999, Northport conducted a town-wide survey of wells and accessible water sources to identify the extent and causes of arsenic contamination. This survey was prompted by the Town ad-hoc Arsenic Committee, which reported the discovery of arsenic contaminated wells in Northport with levels in excess of federal drinking water standards, and 30 of those are in a tight cluster in the Shore and Bluff Road area at or near Kelly Cove.

The University of Maine conducted a study in 2000-01 of the arsenic pollution, focusing on the Shore and Bluff Road area to determine the source of contamination. This study, limited by funding, concluded that the arsenic was probably naturally occurring and verified that the cluster of wells represents some of the highest levels of arsenic observed to date. Subsequent sampling further revealed that arsenic levels in some wells have risen significantly (and continue to rise, in one instance up to 100%).

The Northport Village Corporation hired Dirigo Engineering of Waterville in 1999 to evaluate and recommend improvements to the Bayside water and sewer systems. In this study, Dirigo indicated a number of water and sewer problem areas. They suggested that the highest priority for the water system improvements should be the mitigation of the arsenic contamination of the water supply in the Kelly Cove area of Shore Road (the known extent of arsenic contamination at the time of the study). The solution, which Dirigo subsequently proposed, was to upgrade and extend the deep water lines to the contaminated areas. Based upon this study, the Northport Village Overseers commissioned a cost study from Dirigo Engineering in 2001 to assess the cost implications of a project that would provide town water to the households with arsenic contaminated wells along the Bluff and Shore Roads.

At the Annual Meeting on August 13, 2002, the voters of the Northport Village Corporation approved borrowings for the upgrade of the water infrastructure in the southern part of the Village by approving the following warrant article by a wide majority: "To appropriate and authorize a majority of the Overseers of the Corporation to borrow on behalf of the Northport Village Corporation a principal amount not to exceed $500,000, and to issue and sell for that purpose general obligation bonds or notes of the Northport Village Corporation, the proceeds to be used for the purpose of financing improvements to the water system within the Village Corporation, including but not limited to construction of new water lines on Bluff Road and Shore Road, both within and without the geographic boundaries of the Northport Village Corporation (the "Project"); such bonds and notes to be issued upon such further terms or conditions as may be determined by a majority at least of the Overseers of the Northport Village Corporation, and further to authorize the Overseers to accept and expend federal or state grants, execute any and all contracts and documents, and take any and all actions necessary or convenient to issue the bonds or notes of the Northport Village Corporation and accomplish the Project."

In order to reach the goal of eliminating the dangerous health threat posed by arsenic contaminated wells, it is important that the community work together in finding grants and other funding resources (in addition to the borrowing authorized at the annual meeting) to make this project possible and to ensure safe drinking water for all residents of Northport. The Northport Village Corporation Utilities Sub-Committee is currently exploring all available sources of funding for urgent mitigation of this health crisis.

For questions regarding arsenic contamination, please call Galen Plummer: 338-8439