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Chatham Residents Say Water Is Dangerous - Water Provider Reacts

courtesy of the Village Voices of Chatham

A group of concerned citizens in Chatham say they fear they could be seeing the same problems as Flint, Michigan. They say ever since their water source has switched from Springfield’s City Water Light and Power in 2012 to the South Sangamon Water Commission issues have included discolored, foul-smelling water that is corrosive and leaves sediment. Some people say it even causes hair-loss and rashes.

There have been claims that metals including lead have been found at unsafe levels. Amy and Ryan Mann have been following the issue and are with the ‘Village Voices of Chatham’. They joined us for this interview:

The South Sangamon Water Commission is currently working in tandem with an engineering firm, Woodard & Curran. The SSWC provides water to Chatham and New Berlin, and is based in Rochester where it draws water from underground. Marc Thomas is an area manager with Woodard & Curran. He says the water is safe and meets IEPA standards. He joined us for this interview:

Pt2-CHATHAM-WATER.mp3
Listen to the interview with Marc Thomas

CLICK HERE to go to the website of Village Voices of Chatham where you can find a blog about the water, links to news articles and pictures of alleged water damage.

Rachel Otwell of the Illinois Times is a former NPR Illinois reporter.
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