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l°i <br />Both of these results were reviewed by a NC Division of Public Health toxicologist and he <br />concluded that the water is safe for continued usage. These two sites are scheduled for follow up <br />sampling as a precaution and those samples should occur within the next I S days, <br />Follow-up Plans <br />Owners of the wells have been notified of the sampling results by an individual written <br />comprehensive report including appropriate recommendations. Staff have been available by phone <br />for any consultation requested by residents. Some follow-up sampling for bacteriologic, some <br />inorganic and radon parameters occur over the coming weeks, <br />Bacteriolo~ie -The owners of wells showing coliform bacteria were notified of the presence of <br />bacteria and were provided with instruction to chlorinate the well,. The owners were asked to contact <br />Envirotunental Health for follow-up saznpling after the chlorination procedure, Standard <br />recommendations and procedures based on second sample results will be followed in advising <br />owners ofthe remedies available to them. <br />Staff will offer owners with wells with persistent bacteriological contamination the service of the <br />down-hole camera to assist in repair diagnosis. In situations where the wells are serving rental units, <br />the owner will be notified of the requirement to repair or treat the well. <br />Inorganic -The wells showing elevated lead levels will be resaznpled in accordance with standard <br />procedures. The residents of homes with persistently high lead levels will be contacted for further <br />recommendations if children reside in the homes. Owners who choose to install treatment systems <br />for problem contaminants will be offered a free follow-up water sample to assure that the system is <br />effectively removing the problem. Staff will offer owners with wells with extraordinarily high <br />inorganic contanination (estimated at 6-8 households) the service of the down-hole camera to assist <br />in repair diagnosis. <br />Radon -Only I /3 of the homes in the study area were tested for radon in the air due to the <br />difficulties in scheduling two site visits (to set up the test kit and to take it down) when the occupants <br />az'e home. Staff will continue to offer the air test kits to homeowners at no charge, but will not <br />oversee the placement and collection of the kits. However, for those sites where elevated levels of <br />radon were found in the water and no air test kit was placed, flu'ther attempts to collect air samples <br />will be made. <br />Summary of the Water Quality Assessment Study <br />The Mill Creek area has predominazrtly older wells, many which pre-date the more stringent well <br />construction standards cun'ently in place in Orange County. It is not unexpected to find both water <br />quantity azid quality issues in older wells with substandazd construction. While there are very real <br />water quality issues in the Mill Creek area, the problems are largely aesthetic and there were no <br />significant long-term health risks identified. The most prevalent water quality issue is the number of <br />wells showing coliform bacteria, however the prevalence of contaminated wells in the study area is <br />lower than that of the county as a whole, Well owners are being advised on the recommended <br />chlorination procedures and re-sampling, however few have responded to date. <br />Page 17 of 47 <br />