In Dinwiddie testing begins on uranium filtering system

DINWIDDIE – Initial tests on new water filtering systems in two Dinwiddie subdivisions were taken this week.

Robert E. Wilson, executive director of the Dinwiddie Water Authority, took samples of the water on Tuesday and sent them to Richmond to determine whether traces of uranium have been successfully removed from the water.

Wilson, whose department has no oversight responsibilities with the community well system, was asked to get the preliminary samples and send them to the state lab in Richmond for examination. He will do these tests on a set schedule for several weeks.

The uranium filtering equipment was purchased by Fox Run Water Co. and installed by a Colorado company this month. The company, Water Remediation Technology of Arvada, Colorado, has also installed uranium filtering systems at sites in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nevada and Colorado.

”We are please with the work of this contractor,” said Bernie Nash, president of Fox Run Water Co. He was present as the first samples of the water were taken on Tuesday. He has been providing free water for residents with a water truck since it was determined that the community system had uranium in the water.

After the state has reviewed the results they will determine when residents can begin using the water. That is not likely to be prior to February.

It was five months ago that uranium was found to be at a high level in the community wells serving Chesdin Manor and River Road Farm subdivisions.

On June 4 the Crater Health District advised residents in 116 homes to consume bottled water until uranium problems could be solved.

Dinwiddie County declared a water emergency in the two subdivisions after Fox Run Water Co. asked the county to help. Residents were given an opportunity to take urine tests under the supervision of the Crater Health District.

Dr. Michael Royster reported in October that the tests showed that many people had evidence of uranium exposure, as expected, but very few had evidence of possible health effects.

Health officials indicated that residents will be given an opportunity to take additional urine tests early next year. “We expect an overall decrease in urine uranium levels,” said Dr. Michael Royster, district health director.

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