What were they thinking? The village officials of Crestwood, IL have some splaining to do.
The Chicago Tribune covered the story ...
Like every town across the nation, south suburban Crestwood tucks a notice into utility bills each summer reassuring residents their drinking water is safe. Village leaders also trumpet the claim in their monthly newsletter, while boasting they offer the cheapest water rates in Cook County.
Pinching pennies makes for bad water policy.
As village officials were building a national reputation for pinching pennies, and sending out fliers proclaiming Crestwood water was "Good to taste but not to waste!," state and village records obtained by the newspaper show they secretly were drawing water from a contaminated well, apparently to save money.
But those pronouncements hide a troubling reality: For more than two decades, the 11,000 or so residents in this working-class community unknowingly drank tap water contaminated with toxic chemicals linked to cancer and other health problems, a Tribune investigation found.
What were these chemicals?
The well water is polluted with two chemicals related to perchloroethylene, or PCE, a dry-cleaning solvent linked to cancer, liver damage and neurological problems.
But no worries, my friends - Crestwood Mayor hired a PR company to clean up the mess - Oh, really?
In response to a Tribune investigation that revealed Crestwood's secret use of a well polluted with cancer-causing chemicals, Mayor Robert Stranczek has hired a public relations firm and prepared to send letters to every village resident and business.
Will the public relations consultants dress in hazmat uniforms? ... read on ...
In one of the more egregious uses of the english phrase - stretching the truth ... Mayor Robert Stranczek wrote the following ...
"Despite the issues with the well," he wrote, "there is no evidence that the drinking water that flowed from our kitchen taps contained any hazardous substances beyond what the law allows."
Of course not, bozo - because you did not knowingly test the water ... But mayor, mayor, what about this ...
The Illinois EPA found vinyl chloride in the well at levels up to 5.41 parts per billion, more than twice the legal limit. The state also told Crestwood in 1986 that tests had found the well was tainted.
Oh noooooo, Mr. Mayor - you are in a heap of trouble, plus your daddy too - who was mayor for 4 decades before you. Better ditch the PR company and hire a really good lawyer.
What is the moral of the story? - Never mess with people's water. Plus, impeach the bums.
Wake up to your water before its too late.
Resources:
- Environmental Working Group Tap Water Website - This site tells you about what is in your water supply - a little dated but comprehensive.
- Camp Lejuene Contaminated Water Website - Highlights the 4 decade saga of water contamination at the home of the Marines. With similar chemicals no doubt. Call in the Marines.
- Village Of Crestwood, IL Website - Unofficial website put together by citizen activists of Crestwood, IL.
For more water news, views and muse visit http://www.watercheck.biz and http://www.watermanblog.com
G T. says:
I was in disbelief when I read your story in the Chicago Tribune. My heart and prayers go out to your family. I think the officials responsible for this should be tried as criminals. They deserve jail time, and the people of Crestwood should demand it and not rest until they all go to jail for what they've done.
G
James E. says:
Clean fresh drinking water is becoming a scarce commodity. Even when water is "clean" it is treated with sodium fluoride and chloromines (two very dangerous chemicals used as additives in our national water supply) in almost all municipalities these days. Having a good water filter that has a 3rd party certification with proven capability to filter out these chemicals and other virus, bacteria, heavy metals, etc., is a necessity today for good health. There have also been several news stories lately about pharmaceuticals in our water supply, since this is currently not checked for in most municipal supplies. This example above is egregious, but it's not unique, or new. We've been dumping toxic waste into our water supply for decades, and many townships have experienced cancer rates in excess of what would be expected under "normal" circumstances. Even despite films like Erin Brockovich, or A Civil Action, which brought great attention to the issue of toxic chemicals in our drinking water, the practice most certainly continues, as this article so ably shows, unfortunately. We need to keep pressure up on politicians and show them we have a 0 tolerance level for items like this. And, we need to do what we can to protect ourselves and our families.
Just an aside here, bottled water is not a regulated industry, and over 50% of bottled water is repackaged tap water, so, buyer beware.