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March 2, 2007 ' <br /> n~ 0CF'1 <br /> Brian Newman <br /> Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Regidn q: j Q <br /> 11020 Sun Center Drive, 4200 <br /> Rancho Cordova, CA 95670-6114 <br /> Dear Mr. Newman, <br /> It was approximately six years ago when during clean up efforts we realized that some of <br /> the residential water wells were testing positive for MTBE. At this time and several <br /> times since then, I mentioned the shallow depth of these wells and their condition <br /> couldn't be a safe atmosphere for well water. One of the wells was an open hole in the <br /> ground with a pipe in it, not to mention many of the wells were only 40-60 feet in depth. <br /> My Consultant at the time, Don Thompson and I even suggested that we drill new, safer <br /> wells for the residents. The County Water Board said, "Drilling new wells was not an <br /> option." At my own expense I have had four of the wells tested in November of 2006. <br /> Knowing the concerns that I've had and the condition of the wells, I was surprised that <br /> the wells have not been thoroughly examined for bacteria and safety in drinking. <br /> I had a sampling of four wells taken by FGL Environmental in November 2006. The Lab <br /> called me alarmed by bacteria found in the water. Specifically Total Coliform and Fecal <br /> Coliform failure in three out of four wells. In a conversation with you on November 30, <br /> 2006, I informed you of the Laboratories findings. In the same conversation, you stated <br /> that you had only been testing for metals and not anything else. I forwarded this <br /> information to you by fax on December 1. At a later date, Dave Allen from Aqua <br /> Science mentioned that you had informed him the test results I had received from FGL on <br /> November 28, 2006 were incorrect. At this time, I have not received any test results from <br /> you indicating that the tests that I had taken were inaccurate_ I know that your main <br /> concern has been MTBE and while it is important, I feel it is equally important to make <br /> slue that there are not bacteria in the wells. <br /> Therefore, I wanted to verify the Labs inaccuracy, so I had yet another sampling taken of <br /> ten wells on December 15, 2006. This time they tested before the water entered the filter <br /> and after the water had been filtered. I am not surprised that the wells sampled failed <br /> again for bacteria, specifically Total Coliform. I am tnclosing the results from this most <br /> recent sampling. These results indicate that some of the wells are actually contaminated <br /> worse after the filtration process. Mike from FGL Environmental and Dave from Aqua <br /> Science informed me that the carbon filters used to filter out MTBE actually.breeds <br /> bacteria if it is present in the water. I would hope that now knowing this information you <br /> would discontinue the use of carbon filters on wells where filters are not needed and <br /> i <br />