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Community Corner

Pump Test of Well 5 Finds Low Levels of MTBE and No Danger

Test results showing no threat of toxicity in local water appear to forestall plans for a water treatment plant.

The results of recent tests for toxic MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether) in local wells concluded Feb. 14, and the results are in: Levels are well below safe limits set by the state.

The results were revealed in the Crescenta Valley Water District Board's closed meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The test from Well 5 is producing .28 ug/L of MTBE, well below the state limit of 13 ppb.

Based on these results, spokesperson Christy Scott explained that a move to reopen Well 5 is set to begin and that a controversial plan to build a water treatment facility in Montrose will be "re-evaluated," as stated in the CVWD's Feb. 15 staff report.

Find out what's happening in Montrose-La Crescentawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This report also explained that the CVWD has plans to discuss future California Department of Public Health funding if MTBE levels are to ever rise again. The CVWD will also discuss "placing Well 5 back into service with a weekly MTBE sample plan."

Well 5's MTBE levels peaked at 67 ppb in 2009, well above the state limit, and has been shut down ever since. Read Patch's coverage of MTBE's presence in Well 5 .

Find out what's happening in Montrose-La Crescentawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Test results show that Well 5 is clear of dangerous levels of MTBE, at least for now. Other wells in the area are similarly safe, ranging from .13-.71 ug/L of MTBE.

The CVWD and the CDPH will be in talks on how to move forward.

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