Residents Frustrated After Water Advisory Instated in Koppin County

On Wednesday afternoon, correspondents at The Hetuck were contacted by the ALBBS Environmental Agency (EPA) and informed of a water advisory being set in place in Koppin County.

Samples analyzed by the ALBBS EPA in wells near the North Fork Hauling & Excavation site along East Fork Road found heightened levels of Benzene in the water, levels well above the safe limit. The ALBBS EPA has confirmed that contamination has not spread beyond Koppin County. 

Birk Farinacci, the ALBBS EPA’s Director of Water Resources, has explained to the press that above all else, the health of Koppin County’s citizens matters. They’ve acted quickly, putting a water advisory in place. “We’re being straightforward with residents about what we know, what we don’t yet know, and exactly what we’re doing about it,” Birk told Hetuck correspondents.

Until the water advisory is lifted by the ALBBS EPA, young children, pregnant women, residents over the age of 65, and anyone with any form of blood, immune, liver, or kidney conditions are advised not to drink or cook with tap water, and also informed not to boil any water before use, as that will be futile in removing benzene.

The ALBBS EPA is actively cooperating with Koppin County’s Board of Commissioners to notify those affected by the contamination, distribute clean water, and test all private wells in the areas close to the contaminated wells. 

Many residents of Koppin County are frustrated with the failure to prevent the contaminant from getting into the water supply in the first place. Graham Mahasker, a citizen of Chapman City, has shared his complaints with a Hetuck reporter. “Now my family and I have nothing left to drink,” he lamented, upset by the rollout speed of safe-to-drink water.

The ALBBS EPA is steadfast in confirming the safety of the water as well as making sure those responsible for the contamination are held accountable for any and all damages.

Note: The ALBBS EPA will continue to provide updates as new samples are tested.