Environmentalists and an Antrim County water and sewer authority are keeping a close watch on a contaminated groundwater plume.
MANCELONA -- The plume starts in the area of what used to be the former Dura Automotive plant in Mancelona and is traveling six miles northwest. One of the concerns is that it's heading towards one of the main sources of drinking water.
"It's moving basically from Mancelona almost directly towards Bellaire. It's as far as Schuss Mountain Resort," says Jim MacQuarrie with the Mancelona Area Water and Sewer Authority.
The problem goes back between the '40s and '60s when another plant was at the former Dura Automotive site in Mancelona.
A cancer causing chemical called Trichloroethylene or TCE was dumped into the ground and eventually found it's way into the groundwater.
"It's located about 500 feet underground in some spots. Some spots it's located a lot closer to the surface," says senior geologist with the Department of Environmental Quality, Janice Adams
Adams says in order to keep the chemicals out of residential drinking water, water mains have been extended so people can avoid using well water. The concern is that the plume is not only full of TCE, a carcinogen but it's continuing along it's path.
"It's been migrating out to more heavily residential areas, so we've been extending water systems...It averages about three feet a year," says Adams.
Adams says it's heading towards one of the area's main sources of water.
"We do have one of the municipal supply well field which is called the Cedar River Well Field and that's the area the plume is headed towards...Our predictions are in the next 10 years that could be affected," says Adams.
Although it's a few years away, there's also the concern on where funding will come from to contain the situation.
"The state has spent almost $10 million just in expansion of water systems. They also spent $8 million just in research," says MacQuarrie.
"The monies from bonds are running out, we'll have money for next year but after that it will be running out," says Adams.
Meanwhile, the DEQ and the Mancelona Area Water and Sewer Authority are continuing to monitor the plume's path and residents drinking water.
Janice Adams says all of the information about the plume and research that's being conducted at the Mancelona and Bellaire libraries. You can also check out information on the state's website at: http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3311_4110_23247-95488--,00.html
