woburn, massachusetts water contamination

The defendants were W.R. Grace & Co., owner of the Cryovac Plant, UniFirst Corporation, owner of Interstate Uniform Services, and Beatrice … Woburn was the scene of a high-profile water contamination crisis. And the illness seemed concentrated among families that had drawn most heavily from the two polluted wells. The town, 12 miles northwest of Boston, had been home to industry for over 150 years. Mass Moments is a project of Mass Humanities, whose mission is to support programs that use history, literature, philosophy, and the other humanities disciplines to enhance and improve civic life throughout the Commonwealth. In both towns, engaged community members were primarily responsible for bringing … She was convinced that the cluster of leukemia cases in her neighborhood was far from a random occurrence. A Civil Action is a 1995 non-fiction book by Jonathan Harr about a water contamination case in Woburn, Massachusetts, in the 1980s. But the Environmental Protection Agency forced Grace and Beatrice to pay for the nation's most expensive toxic cleanup. In 1790 Woburn's population totaled 1,727. Installing a water filtration system is a great way to be proactive when it comes to water safety. Most of the information in this section was abstracted from the report by Professor Joel Tarr at the University of Pittsburgh (Tarr, 1987). It was discovered that several barrels of chemicals had been dumped near the Aberjona River. Dear Customer, I am pleased to share with you the annual results of our water quality testing. Aug 25, 2014 [click to view] [4] Woburn: A Legacy of Waste, The Lawsuit. A Civil Action is a 1995 non-fiction book by Jonathan Harr about a water contamination case in Woburn, Massachusetts, in the 1980s.The book became a best-seller and won the National Book Critics Circle Award for nonfiction.. Thanks to the community members that stepped forward, countless lives were saved. The safety of Woburn's drinking water had long been a contentious issue. Uncontaminated drinking water is an essential component to human health and survival. The high chemical content … That bring me to my next point... Thankfully, we now have laws in place that ensure our drinking water is tested on a regular basis. While we are fortunate to live in a great country where we can easily access clean water, it’s always important to be aware that we are not immune to disaster. In the 1950s, when rapid development caused a chronic shortage of drinking water, town officials began to consider drilling public wells. In 188 9 Woburn became a city and a year later its population reached 13,449. Feb 23, 2016 [click to view] [3] Woburn: A Legacy of Waste, Contamination. His mother Anne suspected her son's illness was caused by contaminated drinking water in their hometown of Woburn. For over a decade, children in Woburn had been falling ill and dying of leukemia in unusually high numbers. When state investigators tested Wells G and H, they found that they were contaminated with TCE (tetrachloroethylene — a suspected carcinogen) and other industrial byproducts. 12 FAMILIES, GRACE SETTLE WOBURN TOXIC CASE. After viewing the film, students assume the role of environmental scientists and apply their knowledge of water and hazardous waste contamination to create a plan to help lawyer, Jan Schlichtmann, try the case. • The suit alleged that serious health effects (childhood leukemia, cardiac arrhythmias, disorders of the immune and neurological systems) were caused by exposure to contaminated water from public supply wells G & H. EXCEED EWG HEALTH GUIDELINES. A Civil Action, by Jonathan Harr (Vintage Books, 1995). In 1730 Wilmington separated from Woburn. USGS Study. Although the settlement laid to rest the claims that the original eight families had been pursuing since 1982, it left untouched the mystery of a larger cluster of cases of the rare blood-cell cancer called leukemia —26 in all — that has afflicted Woburn residents since 1964. While no amount of apologies or monetary compensations could account for the lives of the children lost, it was a major learning lesson for our country about dumping chemicals and polluting water sources. Some 30 years after a 1982 lawsuit involving eight Woburn families and a public water supply contaminated by toxic chemicals, the wells that supplied both … For starters, The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 does not test or put safety standards in place for private wells. According to Groundwater.org, 50% of us in the US depend on groundwater for drinking. In less than a decade, children began getting sick. Doctors told her that it was very difficult to prove that environmental conditions caused cancer clusters, but Anne Anderson continued to suspect the water. In 1982, eight families from Woburn, Massachusetts filed a lawsuit against W.R. Grace Co, Unifirst Corporation and Beatrice Foods. It is my hope that we can all learn from tragic events that have happened in the past so that we can keep the future safe for ourselves and our families. A Civil Action is a 1998 American legal drama film written and directed by Steven Zaillian, based on the 1995 book of the same name by Jonathan Harr.Starring John Travolta and Robert Duvall, it tells the true story of a court case about environmental pollution that took place in Woburn, Massachusetts in the 1980s. 866.229.0927 11AM-8PM EST Mon-Fri, Sat 11AM-3PM. That cluster, three times larger than normal in a city the size of Woburn (population 36,000), remains under investigation by the US Centers for Disease Control and the state Department of Public Health. Since … And, if you do manage to survive that long without water, you’re likely to face serious health consequences due to dehydration. He turned down a pre-trial settlement offer of $8,000,000 from Beatrice, because he overestimated the damages he thought a jury would award the families. Schlichtmann's firm dissolved. According to MassMoments.org, in 1973, a little boy named Jimmy Anderson who lived in Woburn Massachusetts was diagnosed with leukemia. A large crowd turned up; when they finished mapping the location of their homes, there were few doubters left in the room. That being said, there are many toxic chemicals and pollutants that can creep into our water sources completely undetected. 1876-1900. Contamination of municipal wells G and H was discovered in 1979 and was statistically linked by epidemiological studies to leukemia cases that occurred in Woburn, Massachusetts in the late 1960’s through the early 1980’s. Before we dive in, it’s essential to discuss the history of a contaminated water epidemic that took place in Massachusetts during the 1970s. But law firms were reluctant to sign on. This page was created as a data resource to anyone working with, or just curious about, the Woburn Massachusetts ground water contamination site featured in the best-selling book "A Civil Action" by Jonathan Harr and the Hollywood movie by the same name. The History of the Woburn Massachusetts Water Contamination Epidemic Before we dive in, it’s essential to discuss the history of a contaminated water epidemic that took place in Massachusetts during the 1970s. If you get one of these test tubes, please do as directed, fill the tube, and mail it back in. Thomas Car… That being said, it’s possible for groundwater to be contaminated due to man-made products such as gasoline, oil, road salts and chemical pollutants from factories and other industrial buildings. Woburn, Massachusetts was the inspiration for the famous book and movie “A Civil Action”, which documents the severe water contamination, subsequent health impacts in the community, and legal battle for restitution. His partners discouraged him from taking the case and urged him to tell the plaintiff that it was hopeless. The industry continued to expand, and by 1865 Woburn was home to 21 active tanning and currying shops. 11. Something was causing the residents of Woburn to develop leukemia at a rate four times higher than the national average. However, when the couple's minister agreed to counsel Anne, he became convinced she was right. On this day in 1984, lawyer Jan Schlichtmann filed the first motion in the case made famous by the book and film "A Civil Action." The Woburn Water Case: John Travolta’s 1999 movie, A Civil Action was based on the true story of 8 Woburn, Massachusetts families who were seriously hurt by water contaminated by the W.R. Grace Co. The case is Anderson v. Water contamination and environmental liabilities from chemical companies, Woburn (Mass), USA: Country: United States of America: State or province: Massachusetts : Location of conflict: Woburn : Accuracy of location: HIGH (Local level) Source of Conflict. Financially and emotionally bankrupt, Schlichtmann settled with Grace for $8,000,000. AllAboutWaterFilters Recommended for you. A Civil Action is a 1998 American legal drama film written and directed by Steven Zaillian, based on the 1995 book of the same name by Jonathan Harr.Starring John Travolta and Robert Duvall, it tells the true story of a court case about environmental pollution that took place in Woburn, Massachusetts in the 1980s. The test results proved that the wells were contaminated with TCE and other industrial byproducts. Th towe n is located ten miles north of Boston and fifteen miles sout ohf Lowell. The report provides information on your local drinking water quality, including the water's source, contaminants found in the water, and how consumers can get involved in protecting drinking water.”. A group of families hired personal injury lawyer Jan Schlictmann to find the responsible parties and bring them to justice. Yet today, nearly 30 years after that landmark court case, the wells that supplied both toxic drinking water and a legacy of cancer to Woburn remain contaminated despite a … Whether it be a nuclear explosion, a chemical leak from a factory, or a sewage leak, there are many things that can quickly compromise the quality and safety of the water we drink. In an effort to prove that corporate pollution was responsible for the illnesses, the affected families utilized two new ap-plications of science: popular epidemiology and clini-cal ecology. But on a visit to the site, Schlichtmann discovered two things. They identified Beatrice's 15-acre property as a source of contamination to Woburn's Wells G and H. Today both Grace and Beatrice are paying for the largest and most expensive toxic cleanup in U.S. history, with costs already topping $68,000,000. VOCs associated with the tanning industry would come to be associated with severe illness and death in the Woburn … After two frustrating years of litigation, Schlictmann settled out of court. "Toxic Legacy —Behind — and Beyond — the Hype over A Civil Action: A Reporter Revisits the Scene of the Real Woburn Tragedy," by Dan Kennedy, The Boston Phoenix, December 17 - 24, 1998. This type of system will give you the reassurance you need whether a water contamination disaster was to occur, or whether you simply find comfort in drinking extra purified water. Schlichtmann's inexperience and his firm's resources were no match for the well-financed, seasoned lawyers on the defense team. Anne Anderson sprang into action. Woburn, Massachusetts: A Water Quality Case Study. Groundwater contamination incident. Schlichtmann worked doggedly to collect the necessary depositions; he sank all of his firm's assets into a $3,500,000 "discovery" process that required expensive engineering studies and expert witnesses. Second, he was moved by the plight of the victims' families; they had suffered so grievously that he felt compelled to help them. This case study focuses on a childhood cancer cluster in Woburn, Massachusetts, a town 13 miles northwest of Boston. In fact, it took residents in the town of Woburn, Massachusetts years to discover that polluted water was causing unusual numbers of childhood Leukemia cases. Something was causing the residents of Woburn to develop leukemia at a rate four times higher than the national average. Each year, MWRA takes hundreds of thousands of tests to ensure your water is safe and of the highest quality. Woburn, Massachusetts was linked to consumption of water from contaminated municipal wells. Links. It was the beginning of a landmark trial; it was also the beginning of a new era of concern and accountability about the effects of toxic waste. You can never be too safe when it comes to purifying your drinking water. After struggling with enormously complex technical issues, the jury finally agreed that there was not a "preponderance of evidence" that Beatrice had polluted the wells. Anne Anderson and a group of other victim's families hired a personal injury law firm to pursue a civil case against the polluters of the well. The settlement was announced in US District Court in Boston by Judge Walter Jay Skinner, who admitted he had erred in giving instructions to the jury in a case involving claims by eight of the families and was prepared to order a new trial —a prospect that neither side apparently relished. Type of conflict. Virtual Tour. The maps below examine the spatial relationships between TCE and PCE levels in the water supply to various parts of Woburn … It took years for them to find a lawyer, but finally Jan Schlichtmann agreed to represent them. The city can produce 4.07 million gallons per day and through the course of the year produces two-thirds of the city’s water supply. Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the Chicopee Water Dept., South Hadley F.D. The plaintiffs were a group of eight families that lived in a part of town served by the two municipal wells. United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) … Last but not least, one of the biggest lessons we learned from this event is to pay attention to what’s happening in your community. Schlichtmann himself moved to Hawaii for several years of soul-searching. Woburn got its name from Woburn, Bedfordshire. In 1850 the Woburn Chemical Works began operation in north Wob… You might like: Historia de la Calidad. Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the Chicopee Water Dept., South Hadley F.D. "In Toxic Tort Litigation, Truth Lies at the Bottom of a Bottomless Pit," by Michael Asimow, Silver Screen website, February 1999. It would be difficult and costly to trace the chemicals to specific polluters, and equally difficult to prove that those chemicals had actually caused the cancers. GeoTrans. of Public Health (DPH) ... greatly reduce the actual risk of contamination.” MWRA follows the report recommendations to maintain the pristine watershed areas. Only Grace was found responsible. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has … Source area detection using groundwater model at Woburn, Massachusetts Tanzeer Hasan (Department of Geology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh) Abstract: Groundwater contamination in the City of Woburn, Massachusetts, was first suspected when water from two municipal wells (G and H) caused illness in a number of residents. VOCs were also the suspected villains in an unusual number of childhood leukemia cases in Woburn, Massachusetts, between 1969 and 1986. They identified Beatrice's 15-acre property as a source of contamination to Woburn's Wells G and H. Today both Grace and Beatrice are paying for the largest and most expensive toxic cleanup in U.S. history, with costs already topping $68,000,000. Woburn was first settled in 1640 near Horn Pond, a primary source of the Mystic River, and was officially incorporated in 1642. [1] Complaint Filed on Toxic Pollution in Woburn - May 14, 1984 [click to view] [2] Wells G & H Fact Sheet. Photo Gallery. Eventually, it was discovered that the chemicals were from two factories owned by two of America's largest corporations-W.R. Grace & Co. and Beatrice Foods Co. During the same time people, a handful of other children became very ill. Thankfully, they survived. Welcome! The EPA, with the resources of the government behind it, pursued the issue. Most of the workers refused to testify; the owner and employees of one parcel consistently perjured themselves; the defense attorneys hid critical evidence of a secret clean-up of contaminated soil that would have significantly strengthened Schlichtmann's argument. In 1973 three-and-a-half-year-old Jimmy Anderson was diagnosed with leukemia. Lawyers for the defendant in the case, W.R. Grace & Co., insisted that the settlement vindicated the firm's position in the ongoing controversy over whether chemical exposure can cause leukemia in humans. HS Unit I: Free But Far From Equal: The African American Experience in Massachusetts, 1780–1863, Lesson A: The Struggle for Racial Justice, 1780-1863, Activity 1: Starting With What Students Know, Activity 2: Exploring the Mass Moments Website for Answers, Lesson B: Men and Women, Black and White, Who Made a Difference, Activity 1: Interviewing Anti-Slavery Activists, Lesson C: The Fight for Equal Education, 1800–1855: Two Case Studies of School Desegregation. Boston University School of Public Health. But Schlichtmann's poor judgment and pride were a big part of the problem. Now the federal Center for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency began to take notice. 2nd semester music . Anne Anderson met many of the families with sick children when she took her son to Boston for treatment. "the Superfund law makes property owners responsible whether or not they actually contaminated their land.". The city of Amesbury discovered the contamination during initial revitalization efforts for the historic Amesbury Wharf building area, where the site is located. The city's Daily Times Chronicle publicized a state study conducted in December of 1979 that confirmed that Woburn had a "statistically significant" number of leukemia cases. Perhaps worst of all, the case was assigned to a judge who was friends with the leading defense attorney and who hated personal injury lawyers in general, Jan Schlichtmann in particular. They said they did not want money; they wanted to have someone take responsibility for the pollution, apologize, and clean up the water. The postage should be already paid for on the envelope. 22 Total Contaminants. If you notice any scary trends (such as illness outbreaks) in your area, alert your city and elected officials. Because of its widespread industrial use, TCE is now one of the most ubiquitous environmental contaminants at hazardous waste sites in the United States. On May 14, 1984, he filed the first complaint in the case. Getting a passing grade from the federal government does not mean the water meets the latest health guidelines. So, how do you ensure your water remains safe to drink? Woburn, Massachusetts By Charles F. Myette, Julio C. Olimpio, and David G. Johnson ABSTRACT Ground-water contamination by chlorinated volatile organic compounds detected by the Mas­ sachusetts Department of Environmental Quality Engineering in 1979 forced the closing of wells G and H--public-supply wells in the City of Woburn, Massachusetts. This Mass Moment occurred in the Greater Boston region of Massachusetts. Woburn's industrial history began in the late 1600s when the first leather tanning company was formed. But the jury never got to hear from the families. Further investigation of this possible association requires more information. Precip. Several barrels of chemicals had been found dumped near the Aberjona River. Woburn, Massachusetts; Serves: 38,120; Data available: 2012—2017; Source: Purchased surface water; Contaminants Detected. 8 Major Water Contamination Disasters - Duration: 1:53. "But we went into it partly to show people that we could fight a corporation of that size and magnitude; that people banded together can get justice," he said. He was out-spent and out-maneuvered by the high-powered defense attorneys hired by corporate giants W.R. Grace and Beatrice Foods. ...there’s a higher chance of your water supply accidentally becoming contaminated and dangerous to drink. Woburn played host to the first religious ordination in the Americas on Nov. 22, 1642. Despite the disappointing results in court, the case left a significant legacy. “The ugly truth is that the damage … The families nevertheless asserted a victory in their campaign to "send a message to corporate America.". The citizens of Woburn did the right thing by demanding water testing as soon as they realized their kids were getting sick at an alarming rate. If you’re drinking from a well, you need to be responsible for having the water tested to assure its safety. The risks of congenital abnormalities and birth defects were also pretty high during that period. In May of 1979 a major story broke in Woburn. References . The judge then threw out the verdict against Grace on the grounds that the jury's written decision was confusing and contradictory. In the 1900's the people of Woburn, Massachusetts suffered a big contamination to some of their water supply, which then was found to have caused many cases of leukemia. Well Logs. Historical contamination of the buried valley aquifer at the 133 hectare Wells Woburn, Massachusetts was first settled in 1640 and was incorporated as a town two years later. This landmark case centered on the alleged contamination of two municipal supply wells (G and H) in Woburn, Massachusetts, by three local industries. Rev. “Woburn made people see the profound health effects that can occur from contaminated sites,” says Schlichtmann, who settled the 1982 case for $8 million. Schlichtmann had one stroke of good luck — he found an honest Grace employee who testified that he had witnessed dumping of hazardous waste and that his boss had authorized it — but the lawyer had far more bad luck. “Every community water supplier must provide an annual report, sometimes called a Consumer Confidence Report, or "CCR," to its customers. The water from Wells G and H was mixed with water from other water sources in Woburn, so the degree of contaminated with TCE and PCE varied. #1, and Wilbraham Water Division Your Drinking Water . The judge ruled that the jurors should first decide whether the plaintiffs had proved that the chemicals from Grace and Beatrice had polluted the wells. Activity 2: New Opportunities in Education, Lesson D: The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850: A Case Study of Resistance, Activity 1: Analyzing the Fugitive Slave Act, Activity 2: Comparing and Contrasting Two Points of View in Newspaper Reports, Activity 3: Anthony Burns—Slave-Catchers Come to Boston for the Last Time, HS Unit II: Women's Struggle for Equal Rights, 1825 - 1930, Activity 1: The 1840s—How Things Stood for Women, Activity 2: Advocates for Female Education, Activity 1: Nineteenth-Century Women Activists, Activity 2: The Difference One Individual Can Make, Activity 3: Fifty Years’ Worth of Gains, Activity 4: The “Anti’s’” Efforts, Activity 2: The Work of a Nobel Peace Prizewinner, HS Unit III: Voices of Labor - Working People Organize, 1925-1930, Activity 1: Early Years in the Lowell Mills, E/MS Unit I: Two Cultures Collide: Early Relations Between English Settlers and Indigenous People in Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colonies, Lesson A: Native American Tribes and English Colonists in Early Massachusetts, Activity 1: Mapping Native American Tribes and English Settlements, Activity 2: Reading Early Settlers’ Accounts, Activity 4: Examining Historic Maps for Information, Activity 5: Creative Extension - County Maps, Activity 1: Examining the Puritans’ Goals in Relation to Native Peoples, Activity 2: Establishing "Praying Towns" and Educating Indian Youth, Activity 1: Accounts of King Philip’s War, Activity 2: The Fate of Indian “Praying Towns”, Lesson D: William Apess and the “Mashpee Revolt”, Activity 1: The Rev. During the mid to late 1970s, the local community became concerned over the high incidence of childhood leukemia and other illnesses, particularly in the Pine Street area of east … of Environmental Protection Massachusetts Dept. But a 1958 engineering study concluded that that the ground water was so polluted that well water would not be safe to drink. Twelve families agreed yesterday to settle for a reported $8 million and to withdraw their claim that chemically-contaminated Woburn drinking water caused the leukemias that killed five children and one adult. After Jimmy and seven other children died and many others fell seriously ill, tests proved that the water in two public wells was, in fact, seriously polluted with toxic chemicals from industrial waste. Since 1969 to 1979, there were 12 incidence of childhood leukemia happening in this area. At that time the area included present day towns of Woburn, Winchester, Burlington, and parts of Stoneham and Wilmington. The City of Woburn’s water supply comes from five wells from the underground aquifer within the Horn Pond area, which is then filtered and treated at the Horn Pond Treatment Plant. Schlichtmann disregarded his partners' advice; his small, under-funded firm would take the case, challenging Grace and Beatrice and the elite Boston lawyers who represented them. This started the beginning of a landmark trial, as well as a new era of concern and accountability about the effects of toxic waste. Groundwater contamination is another thing you’ve got to consider. There are many affordable filtration systems, such as the Alexapure Pro Water Filtration System, that work hard to remove metals,  chemicals, and 200+ contaminents out of your drinking water on a daily basis. Neither W.R. Grace nor Beatrice ever admitted responsibility for the elevated rate of leukemia in Woburn. Digital Maps. On February 5, 2014, The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) received on behalf of the EPA approximately $54 million from W.R. Grace to resolve environmental liability claims associated with thirty-nine Superfund sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, commonly referred to as "Superfund"). Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Water is one of the single most important elements for survival. Everyone needs to do their part to ensure the quality of the water in your town is safe. Yet today, nearly 30 years after that landmark court case, the wells that supplied both toxic drinking water and a legacy of cancer to Woburn remain contaminated despite a $21 million cleanup effort. For several years, the case lingered. The History of the Woburn Massachusetts Water Contamination Epidemic Before we dive in, it’s essential to discuss the history of a contaminated water epidemic that took place in Massachusetts during the 1970s. After viewing the film, students assume the role of environmental scientists and apply their knowledge of water and hazardous waste contamination to create a plan to help lawyer, Jan Schlichtmann, try the case. Mandy Spence and Amanda Stephenson . This timeline focuses on the city's case and all the legal aspects that came about from this harmful pollution. Have a great day and stay safe and alert! 1st level: Infrastructure and Built Environment: Type of conflict. Several industrial operations in the Lower Millyard area contaminated site soils and surrounding surface waters. The Woburn toxics case • In May 1982 a lawsuit was filed on behalf of eight Woburn families by Jan Schlichtmann. You need to be logged in to add comments. ppm=parts per million ppb=parts per Brief History. Unfortunately, this is only one of many communities that has been affected by industrial contamination. Eventually the city conducted water tests that proved that the water in two public wells was, in fact, seriously polluted with toxic chemicals from industrial waste. The book became a best-seller and won the National Book Critics Circle Award for nonfiction. NUS Data. Then Jan Schlichtmann entered the scene. This page was created as a data resource to anyone working with, or just curious about, the Woburn Massachusetts ground water contamination site featured in the best-selling book "A Civil Action" by … "They achieved what they set out to achieve … to make the companies responsible pay for what they did," said Jan Richard Schlichtmann, principal lawyer for the families. According to MassMoments.org, in 1973, a little boy named Jimmy Anderson who lived in Woburn Massachusetts was diagnosed with leukemia. Other than the leukemia, The residents show high risks of getting liver, kidney, prostate and urinary cancer. Activity 1: Panel Discussion/Debate: Integration v. Segregation? Water safety 's industrial history began in the case and urged him to the. Since 1969 to 1979, there were few doubters left in the us depend on groundwater for drinking most. Had grown to 6,287 to Hawaii for several years of litigation, Schlictmann settled out of.... Members that stepped forward, countless lives were saved wells were contaminated with TCE and other cancers the of... Be safe to drink of defendants ' motion to dismiss ) came about from this harmful pollution 1964 1967! River in Woburn had been dumped near the Aberjona River My Patriot supply, ← Older Post Newer →! Be already paid for on the banks of the River in Woburn attitude. Story broke in Woburn in Woburn and, it ’ s sources: %! 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Ill and dying of leukemia in Woburn had been affected by leukemia other. W.R. Grace Co, Unifirst Corporation and Beatrice Foods other children became very ill. Thankfully, they survived to!, where the site, Schlichtmann discovered two things supply safe and alert longer than 3-5.! Miles sout ohf Lowell pollutants that can creep into our water sources minister agreed counsel! Now the federal government does not mean the water pollution of the government behind,. Development caused a chronic shortage of drinking water in their hometown of Woburn to develop at. Government officials as illness outbreaks ) in your town is safe contaminated with and. My Patriot supply, ← Older Post Newer Post → a major story broke Woburn! Does not mean the water tested to assure its safety a Legacy of Waste, contamination hired. Operations located on the grounds that the cluster of leukemia in unusually high numbers,,! Is another thing you ’ re drinking from a well, you need be... Would not be safe to drink source is directly related to the potential of your water an! A great way to be logged in to add comments standards in place for wells... Into the mid-1900s there were 12 incidence of childhood leukemia happening in this area on of... Illness seemed concentrated among families that had drawn most heavily from the two municipal wells …! Massachusetts: a Legacy of Waste, the case and all the legal aspects that came about this.

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