LISBON OEPA issues warning of possible bacteria in village water system

Residents informed council of a 9-foot hole that has opened on Sunset Drive.
LISBON (AP) -- The state issued a warning Monday about the possibility of bacteria in this village's well-fed water system, but Mayor Jeff Snyder said no problems have been found in water sampling.
Due to a possible threat of bacteria in water stored before treatment, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency asked the village to advise residents to take precautions.
"We're not aware of any illnesses or outbreaks," said Kara Allison, EPA spokeswoman.
Residents could use bottled water or boil tap water to get rid of any dangerous microorganisms, she said.
The mayor said the village, with a population of 2,800, depends on water from seven wells about two miles north. He said the village does not expect to change its water source.
"We are working on a new treatment plan to take care of this," he said. "We've never had a bad sample in our distribution system at all."
He said any bacteria found in wells came from surface water runoff caused by heavy rainfall this summer.
Assurances on treated water
The samples are of the village's untreated water and have been forwarded to the EPA since 1999. Both Council President Roger Gallo and Councilman Bruce Craft pointed out at Monday night's council meeting that the treated water from the plant has passed all tests and is safe for residents to use.
Gallo said the EPA had given the village a year to study the problem and six months to rectify it.
Craft said the village bought the adjoining property to the well field to eliminate it as a possible source of contaminants. A consultant has been hired by the village to study the source of the contamination and alternative solutions.
Hole reopens
In other matters, several residents informed council of a large hole that has developed on Sunset Drive at the Kettlewell residence. The hole begins at the ditch and extends under the road surface. The hole opened up during recent rains, and repairs were made last week by the village street department.
However, the storm over the weekend washed out the fill, and the hole, estimated to be at least 9 feet deep, opened up again.
Council said the village will cover the opening with a grate and have Howells and Baird, an engineering firm that does work for the village, take a look at the problem to determine whether it was a broken sewer line or abandoned mine shaft.
XContributor: Sue Drotleff, Vindicator correspondent