WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Another round of testing of wastewater has revealed higher levels of a carcinogen.
The Wausau Pilot and Review is reporting that the latest test results of the wastewater in Wausau have revealed Pentachlorophenol is present in the wastewater. Eight samples were taken by the DNR in late March and 5 of the 8 samples tested positive for Penta.
These samples were taken in the neighborhood along the Thomas St. corridor, where residents are concerned about the potential toxicity of the soil from groundwater. Public Works Director Eric Lindman spoke with Pilot and Review and said of the testing, “The second round of testing confirmed that our sanitary pipe is taking in groundwater with Penta in it.”
The first round of samples for this investigation was taken in January. That round of samples only took 6 samples from manholes in the area. Four of the 6 tested positive for Penta in ranges of 6 to 22.4 parts per billion.
The new tests from the second round show that Penta levels in the area have grown. New samples that tested positive for Penta ranged from 19.3 to 29.3 parts per billion according to the report from Badger Labs.
Currently, consultants for Wauleco are investigating their discharge point as part of a brownfield cleanup site in the Thomas St. corridor. This direction for further investigation came from the DNR to TRC.
Lindman says there isn’t a timeline yet for when the formal report from Wauleco will be finished or where the city will go after this new round of testing.
