|
Filtering out C8 in the public water system in the Mid-Ohio Valley could be coming soon.
C8 is a chemical produced by DuPont that has been found in the region's ground water, and is the subject of several lawsuits and a multi-million dollar health study on how it might have affected residents over the past 40 years.
The construction of the filtration plant for the Little Hocking Water and Sewer District is on its way.
"We consider it experimental. We don't know for sure how it will work," says Robert Griffin, Manager of the Little Hocking Water and Sewer District.
"It appears to have worked for Belpre and Tuppers Plains. Our C8 levels are much higher, so we're just kind of waiting to see if it will be effective," said Griffin.
Construction has been under way on a filtration plant for the Lubeck Public Service District.
WTAP-TV in Parkersburg was told the plant was completed a month ago and is now in operation, but when the station attempted to photograph the plant, PSD employees told their photographer no photos were allowed.
"The Little Hocking plant will be done by the end of September, but it will not be instantaneous C8-free water," Griffin said.
"We have to establish that it is removing the C8. We consider it kind of an interim step, whether it's going to work for us or not."
Providing water in the region that does not contain C8 could resolve a long-standing dispute over DuPont dumping the chemical.
A C8 Science Panel plans to release its findings on the relationship between C8 and public health on its website, once those findings are reported to Wood County Circuit Court.
DuPont claims the long term infiltration of the region's water has not caused problems.
| 
