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YACHT CLUB BOTTLING WORKS WATER SAMPLING RESULTS SHOW NO DIOXIN

Release Date: 02/23/1999
Contact Information: Peyton Fleming, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1008

BOSTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that well water from the Yacht Club Bottling Works and the Pied Piper Nursery School, both in North Providence, is free of dioxin and presents no public health risk.

Analysis of recent well water samples showed that both wells have no measurable levels of dioxin in their water. EPA made its determination based on recent results of water samples collected Jan. 15 from the two private wells. The sampling was coordinated with the R.I. Department of Public Health.

"As we hoped and expected, there is no dioxin in either of these private wells," said John P. DeVillars, EPA's New England Administrator. "This is obviously great news and it should make everyone feel comfortable that there is no health risk whatsoever consuming water from these wells."

In meetings Friday with representatives of Yacht Club Bottling Works and the Pied Piper Nursery School, EPA staff confirmed that there is no health risk to the public from these local water sources.

EPA initiated dioxin testing in the Woonasquatucket in 1996, when it collected eel and various other fish tissue samples from the river. The sampling was launched after EPA learned that people were consuming fish caught in the river.

EPA has since conducted an aggressive sampling and public information campaign focusing on the dioxin issue. Precautionary measures have been taken at several locations along the river, including the installation of snow fences and warning signs to limit public access to areas where elevated dioxin levels have been found.

DeVillars reminded the public to heed public warnings that have been issued about the contamination problem. "Adults and children should not eat any fish caught from the river, and should avoid areas of the Woonasquatucket River where we have identified elevated levels of dioxin in river soils and sediments," DeVillars said.

For health related questions and information, please contact the Family Health Information Line at the R.I. Department of Health. The Information Line, which is taking calls for EPA's Woonasquatucket River Hotline, is 1-800-942-7434. The Family Information Line operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. On evenings and weekends, callers may leave a name and telephone number. Hotline staff will return the call on the next business day.