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Mercer County Bar/Restaurant Cited For Drinking Water Violations

Release Date: 1/4/2000
Contact Information: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567

Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567


BLUEFIELD, W.Va. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited the water system of a local bar and restaurant in Mercer County, W.Va. for violating the Safe Drinking Water Act by failing to monitor its customers’ water supply for three contaminants that could cause potential health problems.

EPA issued an administrative order for the water system of the Wings bar and restaurant in Bluefield for not monitoring for nitrate, nitrite and total coliform bacteria. The bar/restaurant provides water from a well to about 25 customers. This violation does not mean that these contaminants are present in the water, but rather that proper monitoring was not conducted. There is no way of knowing whether the contaminants are present unless the water system samples and analyzes the water as required.

The EPA administrative order requires the Wings water system to notify users of the violations and related health risks, and how they will correct the problems. The water system must provide a written progress report within 30 days to EPA and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

The Safe Drinking Water Act sets regulations for public water systems. These regulations establish maximum contaminant levels, treatment techniques, water quality monitoring and reporting requirements for public water systems.