Residents and businesses in Rochelle will receive a notice next week from RMU dealing with a higher than normal level of radium found in the water system.
The problem involves the water tower near Rochelle Township High School. RMU Water and Water Reclamation Superintendent Adam Lanning said that the problem showed up about 6 months ago as the city was slightly higher than EPA regulations for the radium level. The well was put out of service and will only be used for an emergency such as a large fire.
There have been no reports of any sickness from the water at this time. It would take a period of years for radium to have an impact on someone's body.
Lanning was a guest yesterday on the program "Let The People Know". He said that the city plans to make a decision within the next 3 to 4 months on their next step involving this problem. They could drill a new well or treat the water in hopes the radium level comes down.
The water tower near RTHS went on line in 2005.
Rochelle will have their newest water tower working late this summer or early fall on the south side of town. It will be the largest tower in the city at 200 feet high and store 750,000 gallons of water.
"Let The People Know" is heard on Wednesday afternoon at 12:30 on Newstalk 1060 and rebroadcast Saturday morning at 6 on Newstalk 1060 and Sunday morning at 6 on "The Coyote".
