Groundwater Contamination

Beneath the earth are a series of aquifers through which water flows. This water is called groundwater and is often used for agricultural, municipal, and industrial use. Groundwater can come to the surface through springs or be accessed by man-made wells.

Groundwater becomes contaminated when it mixes with man-made products including gasoline, oil, chemicals, and road salts. The presence of these products can instantly make groundwater unsafe and unfit for human use. Groundwater is part of the hydrologic cycle that all living things are dependent on for survival.

Contaminated Wells

Many Americans rely on underground wells for drinking water and personal use. The lives of innocent people are jeopardized when these wells become contaminated with foreign products. Although there are processes to disinfect contaminated wells, even the brief use of unsafe water can spread disease and cause serious harm.

The Center for Disease Control has reported that improperly disposed hazardous chemical substances are a common source for contamination of wells. These chemicals can penetrate groundwater, thereby affecting the water supply that wells draw from. Tragically, these hazardous chemicals may not contain an odor or color that indicates their danger until it is too late.

Underground Contamination

It is a common practice for companies and organizations to store hazardous chemicals in underground storage tanks. It seems that the philosophy of “out of sight, out of mind” is at work in these cases, and little thought is given to the long-term effects of storing contaminants underground.

Even the most sturdily built storage tanks will eventually corrode, leaking harmful materials into the soil and groundwater underground. These chemicals can quickly infiltrate groundwater and contaminate a community’s water supply, silently causing dramatic damage that often goes unnoticed as it ravages a population of people.

MTBE

MTBE is a chemical compound that is used in motor gasoline to raise the oxygen content of the gas. It has been used in the United States since 1979 to replace lead-based gasoline and has been a topic of much discussion and debate due to its potentially fatal side effects.

In large doses, MTBE is a potential human carcinogen. The chemical often ends up in drinking water when oil storage tanks leak near populated areas, as was the case in 1995 when the wells in Santa Monica, California were discovered to be contaminated. The presence of MTBE in water produces an unpleasant odor and taste, and there have been many lawsuits against oil companies who behave irresponsibly in the manufacture and storage of MTBE.

Chemical Spills

A chemical spill is the uncontrolled release of a hazardous chemical. The material released may be in the form of a gas, liquid, or solid and pose a great threat to individuals exposed to the chemicals.

When the products of a chemical spill penetrate groundwater, a chemical spill can directly contaminate a community’s water supply. Citizens may unknowingly ingest chemicals that can cause sickness, cancer, or even death. Even chemical spills located miles away from a well can cause pervasive groundwater contamination that is present for many years.

If you have been exposed to groundwater contamination, it is important to be informed of your legal rights as a victim. Do not hesitate to contact an experienced attorney who can help you determine the appropriate legal action to take against those responsible for your suffering.

The Law Firm of Steigerwalt & Associates is here to help victims of groundwater contamination throughout the country.

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Groundwater Contamination Information News:

Ninety-two contaminated properties across Pennsylvania will be cleaned up over the next three years under a consent order and cooperative multisite agreement, Gov. Ed Rendell said.
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Construction of Escondido's next Farmer Boys restaurant on East Valley Parkway is on hold because of groundwater contamination concerns at the former gas station site.
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