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Thursday, May 5th, 2022

Climate Change is Pushing Toxic Chemicals into Drinking Wells

Author:     Erika Bolstad
Source:     Pew Research Center - Stateline
Publication Date:     April 28, 2022
Link: Climate Change is Pushing Toxic Chemicals into Drinking Wells
Stephan:   If you live on a well as my wife and I do, particularly if you suffer flooding or there is a chemical industrial monocultural farm adjacent or near your property, I urge you you have your water tested at least once a year. This article explains why I make this recommendation.
Marcelino Maceda looks for items in the remains of his mobile home after a wildfire destroyed multiple homes in Estacada, Ore., in September 2020. With climate change causing more frequent and intense wildfires, people who rely on wells for drinking water are at particular risk.
Credit: Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty

PORTLAND, OREGON — Don Myron is probably best known as the guy who survived one of the deadliest fires in Oregon’s history by sheltering overnight in a river with a patio chair. So there was never any question that Myron would rebuild his home in Oregon’s Santiam Canyon after the house was destroyed in the Labor Day wildfires of 2020.

The well Myron shared with nearby homeowners was no longer available, which meant one of his first tasks was to drill his own new source for drinking water.

“It’s hard to rebuild without water,” Myron said. “It’s hard to do anything without water. It was a priority.” 

But with climate change confronting communities across the West, people who rely on wells are at particular risk as wildfires grow […]

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1 Comment

  1. Rev. Dean on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 6:29 pm

    I remember my grandfather having a well which was outside the house and it was difficult to get it going especially in the winter. You had to have water to “prime” it in order to bring up any water. So everyone always had to remember not to use up all the water in the house before trying to get the pump going.