HANOVER, NH--Installation of water filter systems has been completed at two private wells in the town of Norwich.
The filtration systems arc intended (a remove all detectable traces of the chemical trichloroethylene (TCE). which was discovered in early December.
The offer to install the two filtration system was formally presented to town of Hanover officials at a Selectmans meeting held Monday, Dec. 31.
At the meeting, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory Commander and Director Col. Charles Nichols retraced the events leading up to the discovery of TCE in the wells and the subsequent monitoring.
Vermont Health Dept. officials discussed the health concerns associated with the chemical, and also future action by the state to have the residences hooked up to town water.
Officials from the Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation had reviewed the data on TCE removal by the activated carbon in the filters, and based on their experience, they authorized CRREL to install the systems on the two Norwich wells.
The filtration systems consist of two filter columns mounted in series so that the second filter acts as a backup to the primary filter. CRREL will continue to monitor the filleTed water supplies, as well as change the fillers as needed.
Although the filters have a manufacturers certificate showing the percent of TCE removal, CRREL conducted its own tests to insure the performance of the filters.
At this time CRREL is notifying property owners of Norwich who live within approximately a mile of Rt. 5 and Goodrich Road that the State and the Anny arc offering to test well water for detectable levels of the chemical. Interested property owners are requested to call Lt. Colonel Rick Miller at the laboratory, 603-646-4386.