Agencies Discuss Contaminated Water Found in Wake County

Several agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commented on the issue surrounding the contaminated water that has been found in two Wake County neighborhoods during a news conference this morning.

Homeowners finally got some answers about the contamination. According to ABC News, dangerous levels of a cancer-causing chemical were found in drinking water wells that serve homes just off Stony Hill Road in Wake Forest.

During the news conference officials said the contamination was caused by a defunct pant. The chemical found in the water, Trichloroethylene or TCE, is an industrial solvent used primarily as a machine degreaser. It is a blue liquid with a sweet, chloroform-like smell.

Officials say they are talking to plants that used to be in the area to determine exactly how TCE got into the well. ABC News reported that TCE was found in another well back in 2005 after a homeowner complained that the water had a funny smell.

Authorities are looking further into the contamination to determine if the area could become a Superfund Site, which is an EPA program to clean up areas affected by hazardous materials.

Source: ABC News

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