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EPA BEGINS DERRY WATERLINE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Release Date: 06/25/1999
Contact Information: Alice Kaufman, Community Affairs Office (617) 918-1064

BOSTON -The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) and the town of Derry, NH, will begin construction next week to extend the municipal water supply to 35 properties whose wells are contaminated or threatened with contamination. EPA financial contribution to the project is approximately $600,000. The agency expects construction to be complete by the end of summer or early fall. The Derry Public Works Department will construct a new pump house to increase water pressure for the properties being served by the water system expansion.

In 1998, DES identified 13 homes whose private wells had elevated levels of a chlorinated solvent (1,2-dichloroethane) typically used to remove grease from metal parts. Since its discovery, the DES has provided water treatment systems for those 13 families to purify their drinking water. Groundwater contamination threatens an additional 22 bedrock wells in the neighborhood and is the reason EPA is expanding the number of homes to receive municipal water.

"It is truly unfortunate that irresponsible past waste disposal practices have put this Derry neighborhood at risk," said John P. DeVillars, EPA's New England administrator. "We will continue to work closely with the New Hampshire DES and Derry officials to ensure that the tap water in this neighborhood is safe and free of harmful chemicals. These families who have been drinking treated water since last year will have fewer worries when they are connected to a permanent town water supply by fall."

"Through the cooperative efforts of the EPA, DES and the town Derry, we have arrived at a permanent remedy that will eliminate the health risks of contaminated water in this neighborhood.," said New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen. "This project will provide clean and safe drinking water, and with it, peace of mine for these 35 families. I applaud the EPA for their quick response to this problem."

"We appreciate the patience and understanding shown by the residents of Derry who were affected by this contamination," said NHDES Commissioner Robert W. Varney. "This project has been a high priority of the EPA, DES, and the town of Derry, and we are please that a permanent, cost-effective solution is now being implemented."

"This waterline extension project is a great thing for Derry," remarked State Senator Rick Russman. "Clearly, EPA has gone an extra mile to protect the health of Derry citizens, and has deftly built consensus among other state and local entities in order to bring clean water to these residents expediently."

While the construction projects may cause minor traffic delays on East Derry Road, EPA will work with the town of Derry to minimize these impacts. The town will provide 'flaggers' and police details to direct traffic during construction. EPA posted signs this week to warn commuters of possible traffic delays, especially at the intersections of Pond and East Derry roads and Cemetary and East Derry roads.