Lamont residents concerned over a recent notice sent by their water district are wondering why they are being warned about arsenic contamination. Eyewitness News was contacted by one concerned mother who wants to know what's being done, and why increased rates don't' seem to be improving their water.

Due to long term health effects, in 2005 the Environmental Protection Agency lowered the amount of arsenic allowed in water from 50 parts per billion to 10. Now that the standards have improved many districts will have to make changes, including the Lamont Water District.

Water has been a point of contention between Lamont residents and the Public Utilities District since rates were increased February of 2007. Now residents say they have another concern after receiving a letter from the utility district, warning them about arsenic levels in two wells that exceed state standards.

The district says it's not an emergency and that the water is drinkable. But residents like Casey Baker say they are concerned and called Eyewitness News as soon as she got the letter. Baker now buys bottled water for drinking and cooking which costs her an extra 75 dollars a month on top of her water bill. But beyond money, she's concerned about her daughter who suffers from Eczema. Baker says her daughter probably would have had Eczema anyway, but worries that the water is worsening her condition.

We went to Lamont Public Utilities District to find out what's being done, and if they are using the money from increased rates to fix the problem. They refereed us to their media relations office, who referred us back to the Utilities District when asked about increased rates.
Their media representative told us "The rates are set by the Utilities district so you would have to talk to them about rates." We have a call into the district to speak with the board president, so far we haven't heard back.

Although the Public Utilities letter tells residents not to worry, we wanted another opinion. We went to Environmental Health to find out if residents should be concerned about an immediate health risk. Director Matt Constantine explained that short term exposure does not present an imminent health risk.

The Utilities District says they are working with an engineering to come up with solutions to fix the problem. They plan to have resolved by March. We will let you know if we talk to the district and if anything else develops.