Published: March 14th, 2013 at 4:46 pm ET
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Daily Times (Illinois), March 6, 2013: Contacted by phone Wednesday, [environmental scientist Robert] Bowcock expressed shock and alarm from lab results recently processed from Wedron [Illinois] groundwater samples [...] “The federal government allows five parts per billion of benzene as its maximum level,” said Bowcock. “The samples I collected and had tested were at 2,600,000 per billion. That is 520,000 times the legal limit. That is the highest we’ve ever had from a residential well water supply. The lab even had to dilute the samples before proper testing could be performed.” Bowcock said, “You could probably run a lawn mower with this foul, toxic water coming out of certain taps in Wedron. The lab and I have never seen such high levels (of benzene and other toxic solvents). It’s real gas.”
Photo: Steve Stout
Daily Times (Illinois), March 10, 2013: California-based environmental activist Erin Brockovich told Wedron residents Sunday afternoon her staff’s forensic testing of private wells has pinpointed toxic groundwater pollution to the town’s only industry — Fairmount Minerals [...] “We now know from those results, the pollution is not from a rail car spill or a gas station tank or some corn silo guy — it is definitely from an industrial source,” she said. [...] “Individually, you don’t have much of a voice, but together, the residents of Wedron will have power to recoup relocation and recovery from any potential medical bills. Without question, looking at the alarmingly high pollution levels, you all are facing real serious problems” [said attorney Thomas Girardi...]
2 days later…
Daily Times (Illinois), March 12, 2013: The Serena Fire District recently received a $2,500 donation from Fairmount Minerals Technisand in Wedron. Serena Fire Chief Rodney Reese, left, accepts the check from Fairmount plant superintendent Jack Showden. Serena Fire District recently received a $2,500 donation from Northern Border Pipeline, whose pipeline runs through the district. Receiving the check from Northern Border Field technician Tom Fehr, middle, is Serena Deputy Fire Chief Steve Kellogg, left, with Serena Fire Chief Rodney Reese.
Watch: Brockovich speaks to community in Wedron, IL
