More than half the state’s households that rely on well water have not had their wells tested for arsenic, which is prevalent in parts of Maine and has been linked to increased cancer risks and lower IQ scores.
New data released this week by the Environmental Health Strategies Center show that only 48 percent of private wells were tested for arsenic in 2014. Maine has a public health goal of having 65 percent of wells tested by 2020. Given the slow rate of increase in the number of wells tested, the state will fall far short of that goal.
It will take much more effort, on the part of the state and property owners, to get Maine back on track.
An “ arsenic belt” runs through Maine to northern Massachusetts because of the prevalence of granite that many drill through in order to set up their wells. High levels of arsenic have been found in western Maine, Kennebec County and along the coast in Hancock and Washington counties.
Arsenic is tasteless and has no odor, so the only way to find out if it occurs in drinking water is to test for it. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services recommends testing every three to five years for arsenic and other contaminants, including lead and uranium. These tests, which are available at laboratories across the state, cost between $70 and $100.
Last year, lawmakers passed a bill aimed at increasing the number of wells tested by offering financial assistance to low-income residents to test their wells and, if necessary, to help pay for remediation to lower arsenic levels in their drinking water. Money to fund the program was to come from a surcharge on water tests.
Gov. Paul LePage vetoed the legislation, and the House failed to override his veto. In his veto letter, the governor noted that well testing has increased from a quarter of private drinking water wells in 2003 to 45 percent in 2012. This is a positive trend, but it must continue in order to reduce the numbers of wells that contain arsenic and reduce health risks.
The LePage administration also said that the legislation was unnecessary because the state had a federal grant to help pay for well water testing. But after LePage’s veto, lawmakers learned that the state had not applied to renew the $300,000 grant. The money was targeted for Aroostook, Hancock, Franklin and Washington counties, the areas with the highest arsenic levels in Maine.
According to a report from the state toxicologist, 210 water testing kits were provided for free to Maine residents in the first year of the grant. Only 20 percent were returned for testing.
This low rate of return highlights the need for more public awareness about the dangers of arsenic in private drinking water wells and the need for testing.
Samantha Edwards, a spokesperson for DHHS, told Maine Public that the department has plans to launch a targeted mail campaign to households with children. The department is updating its website and brochures about water testing, and considering the use of social media to spread the message.
In addition, lawmakers, including sponsors of the failed 2015 bill, say they plan to push again for legislation to spur more water testing.
Certainly, government has a role in minimizing the risks, but well owners must also do their part. The message is simple: Arsenic is dangerous to your health. If you have a private drinking water well, get it tested.
