Drinking water not contaminated, but benzene found in groundwater

MIAMI, Okla. (AP) _ The toxic chemical benzene has not contaminated the city of Miami's drinking water, residents were told. <br><br>About 50 people, along with state and local officials, were on hand

Wednesday, February 20th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MIAMI, Okla. (AP) _ The toxic chemical benzene has not contaminated the city of Miami's drinking water, residents were told.

About 50 people, along with state and local officials, were on hand Tuesday night when results of a study were released.

``There is no contamination,'' said Don Davis, principal engineer for URS Corp. ``It's very unlikely that the benzene will get in the public water system. They have tested it and have found no benzene in the water.''

The study by URS did find evidence of benzene contamination in the groundwater south and southwest of the old B.F. Goodrich tire plant, which closed in 1986. It is now partially used as warehouse space.

Michelin North America, a tire maker, hired URS for the study because it is leasing the old Goodrich plant and is contractually responsible for cleaning up any environmental hazards caused by the facility, Davis said.

``We don't know when the leak started or when it stopped,'' Davis said. ``After April 1986, there was probably no more leakage.''

Benzene, commonly found in gasoline, kerosene and cigarette smoke, can cause cancer. It is used to make resins, plastics and rubber.

The report showed that levels of benzene were as high as 13,200 parts per billion in the groundwater south of the plant. Safe drinking water has a maximum of five parts per billion for benzene, according to federal Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

The chemical was found in groundwater about 15 to 20 feet deep. City officials said the affected neighborhood, which includes 123 homes, uses groundwater from an aquifer that is 800 to 1,200 feet deep, well below the contaminated area.

Officials wanted to inform residents about the contamination. Pockets of benzene could release poisonous vapors. Researchers said benzene gives off a ``sweet odor'' and smells similar to gasoline.

No one interviewed by researchers said they'd smelled the chemical in their homes, officials said.

State and local officials want the extraction and disposal of the affected groundwater from the specific wells. They also want collection of additional data to devise long-term solutions.

Michelin North America plans to have periodic meetings to discuss solutions approved by the environmental quality department.

``We are working to resolve the problem without litigation,'' said Nancy Banks, director of public relations for Michelin.

Davis said it could cost ``up to seven figures'' to clean up the contamination.