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| For more information contact: Fred Barley, R. S., Sanitarian Chief For immediate release Public meeting set to discuss health consequences with private water well quality. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health, conducted an investigation into concerns about water quality raised by residents near Williamson in Mingo County. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry funded the health consultation. The public availability meeting will be held Thursday, Oct. 20, from 5:30 - 7 p.m. at the Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, Williamson Campus (beside the National Guard Armory), Room 431, 1601 Armory Drive, Williamson. Officials will be on hand to answer questions and address concerns about potential health problems from the use of well water in this area. The health consultation was completed on various water supply sources in the Lick Creek, Rawl, Merrimac and Sprigg areas near Williamson. The study found that some private wells in these areas contain water with high concentrations of manganese, iron, sodium and lead. To avoid possible health effects from the manganese found in the water, people should not use it to reconstitute infant formula and should consult their health care provider about use of this water if they have liver or gastrointestinal disease. Those diagnosed with hemochromatosis should notify their health care provider of the high levels of iron in this water. People should avoid using this water if they are on a sodium-restricted diet. WVDHHR recommends that people should test their well water for the presence of coliform bacteria and lead and take appropriate action if unacceptable levels are found. WVDHHR recommends that households should connect to public water when it becomes available. For more information contact the Office of Environmental Health Services at 304-558-2981. – 30 – |