The Town of Alamo was informed July 2 by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently raised a question as to whether lead is present in one of Alamo’s drinking water supply wells.

Lead is a contaminant that is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, a federal law that is administered by the State. The Town of Alamo has always been in compliance with this law. Alamo’s most recent water testing indicated that lead was not detected in the Town’s drinking water.

EPA tested Alamo groundwater on November 5, 2013 and until now has never previously shared the test results with the Town of Alamo or the public. Their testing indicates the presence of lead in concentrations at the low parts per billion range, which may exceed Safe Drinking Water Act standards in one well. That well is not currently in service. Mayor John Avery Emison said, “We are not using that particular well and we will not use it until this issue is cleared up. It is important to note that the Town of Alamo tests the water that comes out of taps, and lead was not detected in our 2015 Safe Drinking Water Act tests.”

As a precaution, TDEC has instructed Alamo to test its three public water supply wells for lead and provide the test results to the State no later August 1, 2018. “We are doing everything the State has asked us to do, and more,” Emison said. “In an abundance of caution we will hold off using the well in question even though the State has not asked us to that. Hopefully this new round of tests will settle the issue,” Emison said. “We will promptly inform the public of the results of these new tests.”

Mayor Emison briefed the Board of Aldermen of the situation the same day that the State and EPA informed him, July 2.

For additional comments contact John Avery Emison, 731-345-1350.