Vigilance

To the Editor: 
In small communities such as this one we live in, we are experiencing more and more environmental problems; problems resulting from past contaminants and/or lack of vigilance. An example of past contaminants means what was left in the ground from former gas manufacturing plants. Most common to these types of operations after demolition is a tar residue. This substance is impacted into the soil. The tar and oil residue contains chemicals and pollutants that effect ground water supplies.
To further elaborate on lack of vigilance, today we have conditions such as what we are witnessing in Flint, Mich. Incompetent and inept government decisions have allowed an entire system to fail for the sake of thrift. An entire water system was converted from one source to another. Upon doing this, the decision makers failed to realize the chemical impact on a water supply. Again, safety should never be compromised for the sake of cost saving. Otherwise we get Katrina conditions.
 In today’s environment, with regard to vigilance, here’s what happened in Flint, Mich. Any and all systems are treated with chlorine to kill bacteria. This was clone in Flint. However, as a cost saving, an ammonia additive was used. These combined chemicals (Cl2 and Nh3) are referred to as chloramine. When this substance comes in contact with the lead piping in the system, a leaching effect occurs, the reaction is deadly. Thus, a problem multiplier that was not properly thought out.
Are we ever safe? What can happen? Is your utility properly staffed? Does your utility have a biochemist and a bacteriologist on staff? Or even a competent laboratory vigilant enough to protect the community? I very much doubt this. In this day and age, we see decision errors made for the sake of cost, made with critical results.
As the saying goes, “What is in your water supply?” Who’s watching? Who’s deciding?
It’s now too late and too expensive in Flint; prevention measures are always worthwhile. Make the system work for you. Be vigilant. It’s not always true that less government is the best government. Health and safety always exceed cost.