Water too salty for some taste buds

CAMDEN, Ohio (WDTN) - The city of Camden has been experiencing increased levels of sodium in its drinking water. Because of the city's water problem, the EPA is holding a special meeting Thursday night about what is happening in Camden's wells.

Many are taking a cautious approach to drinking the water because it could be a health risk for some residents. Kyle Ronto, a Camden resident said he needs fresh water for his family. "I got kids at the house that need some fresh water, got a four month old baby," Ronto said.

Carrie Simpson also said the salty well water could hurt her. "I have high blood pressure so I figured I better not," said Simpson.

Although the first well was found unusable, there was good news coming out of the second well.

EPA spokeswoman Heather Lauer reported, "Right now the water that's out in the system at people's taps and faucets it is safe to drink." However, she warned that this well could also fail. "It is possible that it might be too late for this well field. We're hoping that we can figure out something that we can recommend to the village to help them save the well field."

If this well isn't saved, Lauer said the village's last hope could get ugly. Lauer said, "If the salt keeps going up in the well like it is now, and they have to go to the last well that they have and it starts pulling in salt it is possible that they could lose the whole well field within six weeks."

Lauer believed the salt contamination was coming from a giant salt pile and said the village was warned of the potential hazard.

"We let the village know a couple of years ago that there was a possibility that this salt could get into the ground water if it wasn't properly managed," Lauer stated.

Officials said if all the wells were contaminated, the village would have two options. They could connect into southwest regional water lines or find another well field.

The EPA will participate at tonight's village council meeting at 6:00.