Arsenic found in central Oklahoma municipal water wells

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Officials say as much as one-half of municipal water wells penetrating central Oklahoma's aquifer have arsenic levels above new federal standards. <br><br>Geologist Jamie Schlottmann

Tuesday, June 11th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Officials say as much as one-half of municipal water wells penetrating central Oklahoma's aquifer have arsenic levels above new federal standards.

Geologist Jamie Schlottmann Norvell told the Oklahoma Water Resources Board yesterday that most rural wells are too shallow to be affected.

Norvell says the naturally occuring arsenic probably isn't fatal but can make some existing health problems worse.

The Environmental Protection Agency reduced arsenic level standards last year to one-fifth of what they had been. However communities such as Edmond, Nichols Hills and Norman still have water that doesn't meet the more lenient standards.

Oklahoma City draws its water from lakes and is not affected.