Seven homes in the area have been equipped with point-of-entry filter systems following testing that confirmed contamination from petroleum and solvents, Clayton said.

There were underground storage tanks at two nearby establishments, she explained, and both were removed during the 1980s. One tank had not been used since the 1970s.

She said that all groups involved are working together to coordinate the environmental investigation. Wells in the area will be monitored beginning within three to four weeks, Clayton said.

Last month, when the problem was first detected, the health department took water samples and distributed health risk information to residents in the affected area.

During this week’s information meeting, Bob Davies of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Underground Storage Tank Section gave a brief history of the site and how his division became involved. He also noted that his department would be working with the property owners who have petroleum components in their wells, Clayton said.

Harold Kelly, Person County Environmental Health supervisor, summarized the events which have taken place most recently. He said that a total of 38 wells had been sampled. At the time of the meeting results from 26 of the water samples taken had been received. Currently, there are seven homes on point of entry (POE) systems, two due to petroleum contamination and five due to chlorinated solvent contamination.

These systems are filter systems which filter out the contaminants and allow residents to use their water, whereas they normally would be advised to not use their water at all, said Clayton.

She said that during Thursday’s meeting, Ken Rhame of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Emergency Response Branch for Region 4 explained that EPA is currently providing bottled water to 14 homes.

“Mr. Rhame went on to say that the situation was not entering the investigation phase, which is to determine the source of contamination,” said Clayton.

The EPA will be working with the property owners who have solvent contaminants in their wells, Clayton told The Courier-Times.

Rhame said that as part of the investigation, the EPA, in coordination with NCDENR, would begin the environmental investigation to determine the sources of contamination, Clayton explained, adding that Rhame told the affected homeowners to expect to see heavy equipment in the area in the next three to four weeks

Clayton said Jim Bateson of the NCDENR- Superfund Section said he would also be working with the EPA to determine the extent of solvent contamination and to find the point source of the contamination.

Dr. Ken Rudo, toxicologist with North Carolina Division of Public Health, spoke at length about the various contaminants that have been found in the water samples, said Clayton.

“He stated that the solvent levels are among the highest ever seen in North Carolina. He expects the contaminant levels to change and because of this, ongoing sampling will take place,” she said. “He stated that a long-term solution cannot be determined at this point. The investigation needs to be completed in order to determine what long-term solution will be best for the public’s health,” Clayton said.

Steve Carpenter, Person County manager explained at the meeting “that this was just the beginning point of the process,” Clayton said. He reassured the residents that the county will continue to work with the other agencies to find a solution.”

After a lengthy group question- and-answer session, Clayton told residents that the health department will have a section on its Web site, http://health.personcounty.net, that is dedicated to the issue and that contact information for each agency and any updates will be listed there. She also said that periodic newsletters will be sent out to all of the residents and property owners.