A new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is causing more water concerns for the Fountain, Security-Widefield area.
“Our entire aquifer is destroyed, and if we were to have any more water contamination in any of the surrounding communities, we’re out of drinking water,” Rosenbaum said.
Efforts by the U.S. Air Force and Fountain Utilities in recent months have led to the installation of a new filtration system, allowing groundwater back into the city’s drinking water system, after the air force admitted fault in contaminating the water with firefighting foam.
The report suggests health issues like an increased chance of getting cancer, liver damage, an increased risk for asthma and a decrease in fertility could happen at levels lower than that.
“They’ve just been looking at getting levels below 70 parts per trillion,” Gordon said.
“Now, this study just brings that standard into question.” Rosenbaum said the report also calls into question what level is safe for people to consume the water.
“Now this report came out and said it said it needs to be less than 10 [parts per trillion] ,” Rosenbaum said.
“And we want it less than 10.” A regional ATSDR employee was already scheduled to talk at Thursday’s meeting.
He offered insight on the report, calling the Fountain, Security-Widefield area “Ground Zero” for this research, but the confusion and safety concerns for future generations continue.
The meeting starts at 4:00 p.m. at The Hotel Elegante in Colorado Springs.