Well water in the area of Thompson and Bennett streets is unsafe to drink.

WILTON – Ten of 12 private wells tested in the Thompson and Bennett streets neighborhood are contaminated. The water is considered unsafe to drink.

The town is applying for an urgent need grant to bring town water to the neighborhood.

Wilton Water District Superintendent Russ Mathers said a resident came to the town last fall with the results of a test he had done on a well and asked the town to consider extending the water line to the neighborhood.

The results of the tests prompted town officials to agree to test the water in other wells in the area. Mathers said of 18 homes, 12 chose were tested.

The tests were sent to an Augusta lab to be analyzed.

Ten of the 12 tests showed problems with coliform contamination, Mathers said.

Coliform bacteria are common in the environment and are generally not harmful, according to an Environmental Protection Agency Web site. However, the presence of the bacteria in drinking water is usually a result of a problem with the treatment system or water distribution pipes and indicates the water may be contaminated with germs that can cause disease, the site states.

Mathers said the contamination could be caused by either animal manure or problems with septic systems. He said the latter is most likely because of the location of the neighborhood and its vulnerability to storm-water runoff and drainage issues that could affect septic systems.

Four of 10 wells also had nitrate-nitrogen, which Mather’s said he considered very bad and indicated septic problems; eight of the 10 wells showed iron and manganese exceeded the recommended levels; and one of the 10 was contaminated with E. coli bacteria. Its presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes.

Microbes in the wastes can cause short-term health problems such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms, according to the EPA site.

Selectmen agreed to have the town apply for a $100,000 urgent need grant to extend the water line from Route 156. Work would mean installing 2,340 feet of 6-inch water main off the town’s line on Route 156.

“It’s such a large area,” Mathers said, “you hate to see people having to buy bottled water. But you can’t ask the ratepayers to pay for it.”

Wilton voters would be asked accept the grant at a town meeting, if it is awarded.

The testing cost about $800 and came from a contingency fund, Mathers said.

Mathers said he’s optimistic about the town getting the grant but if it doesn’t, they’ll try another approach to extending the line.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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