Month: March 2019

Radium Information

Brittney

Important Information about Your Drinking Water

Levels of Radium, (226 + 228) in Oconto Waterworks water exceed standard

 

The City of Oconto’s Utility Commission has been informed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that Well #7 located on VanHecke Ave has exceeded the Radium, (226 + 228) maximum contaminant level (MCL) based on four quarterly samples taken. The average of these samples is 5.345 PCI/L, which exceeds the 5 PCL/L for Radium, (226 + 228) as specified in ch.NR 809, Wis. Adm. Code.

 

Well 7 can be used in an emergency but will be shut down until a solution is found to keep the levels under the MCL. The City of Oconto has two other wells that will supply our residents with safe drinking water.

 

What precautions should be taken at this time?

 

You do not need to use an alternative (e.g., bottled) water supply. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult with your doctor.

 

What does this mean?

 

This is not an immediate risk. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately.  Some people who drink water containing radium 226 or 228 in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.  For example if you drank 2 liters of water every day over a seventy year period with the above MCL’s you would have a one in 10,000 chance of getting cancer.

 

The number one priority of the City is to supply safe drinking water to its customers and will work with the DNR and its staff as well as other water specialists to resolve the problem as soon as possible. We will notify you when the problem is resolved

 

If you have any questions regarding the safety of our drinking water, please contact:

Jeremy Wusterbarth-Superintendent of Public Works & Utilities at 920-834-7725 jeremy@cityofoconto.com

1210 Main Street, Oconto, WI 54153

 

Radium Levels in Well 7

Brittney

Important Information about your Drinking Water

Levels of Radium, (226 + 228) in Oconto Waterworks water exceed standard

The samples listed below indicate the presence of Radium, (226 + 228) in excess of the 5 PCl/l Maximum Contaminant level (MCl) in your drinking water and are a violation of State and Federal Safe Drinking Water Regulations.

A water sample collected in September, 2018 indicated the presence of Radium, (226 + 228) above the MCL. Further sampling between December 2018 and January 2019 confirmed the high levels of Radium, (226 + 228).

What precautions should be taken at this time? You do not need to use an alternative (e.g., bottled) water supply. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.

What does this mean? This is not an immediate risk. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. Some people who drink water containing radium 226 or 228 in excess of the MCl over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

 

What is being done to correct the problem?  Well 7 has been take off-line until the problem is

Corrected. The Oconto Utility Commission has two other wells located in the City of Oconto which

Will supply safe drinking water to all residents.

 

We are working to resolve this problem as soon as possible. We will notify you when the      

         Problem is resolved.

 

If you have questions regarding the safety of our drinking water, please contact:

 

Jeremy Wusterbarth (Superintendent of Public Works & Utilities) 920-834-7725

           1210 Main St – Oconto, WI 54153

 

I certify that the information and statements contained in this public notice are true and correct and have been provided to consumers in accordance with the delivery, content, format, and deadline requirements in Subchapter VII of ch. NR 809, Wis. Adm. Code.

 

Jeremy Wusterbarth – 3/18/19

CodeRED System

Brittney
CodeRED Alerts & Weather Warning
The Oconto County Emergency Management Agency and City of Oconto have an important message for all residents and businesses in the City.
The City of Oconto is now participating in the CodeRED Community Notification System.
This system will alert citizens in the path of severe thunderstorms, flash floods and tornados.
Citizens must register to receive these warnings as follows:
• Go to the Oconto County website – www.oconto.co.oconto.wi.us
• Click on the Green CodeRED tab located on the lower center, just below the news and information of our homepage
• Enter your contact information, how you would like to receive the alerts (phone, text, email) and warnings you would like to receive.
Entering your information will also update our Community Notification System with your current contact details. If you previously entered your data, prior to April 2013, into the County’s website, you will have to re-enter your data to receive the weather alerts. There is no charge to register for this service.
If you know of anyone who lives within the City of Oconto and is not signed up for this life saving service, please encourage them to visit the Oconto County website and enter their information.
If you do not have internet access, please contact a friend or family member to enter your contact information. You can also contact the Oconto County Emergency Management office for assistance at 920-834-6850.
Thank you.