The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is testing to see if chemical compounds discovered in local private wells could be affecting the Edwards Aquifer, which serves 2 million people in south-central Texas, according to a September 9 article on www.woai.com.

The EPA discovered contaminated water in the wells about two years ago, and more recent testing indicates the pollution of a groundwater plume by dry cleaning products.

The aquifer has a “honeycomb” type of formation, said Chris Villareal, project manager for the EPA. This means there are many potential pathways throughout the area through which contaminants can migrate. The EPA will need to take samples from the aquifer and monitor its levels before knowing if water treatment is necessary, according to the article.

Residents were unaware of the contamination and had been using water from the contaminated wells for years before being hooked up to the public water supply.

The EPA will continue water well testing and meet with the Edwards Aquifer Authority to discuss the possibility of contamination, according to the article.