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Water tests recommended
By JORGE SANCHEZ © St. Petersburg Times, published October 13, 2000 CHASSAHOWITZKA -- County and state health officials are recommending that residents of Chassahowitzka who get their drinking water from wells have the water tested for harmful bacteria. A test of nine wells in the area showed that two had unacceptable levels of bacteria for drinking water purposes, said Jim Rashley, environmental manager for the state Department of Environmental Health in Lecanto. The wells were tested by researchers from the University of South Florida, which is under contract with Citrus County to perform testing. Residents of Chassahowitzka can get free drinking water from faucets at the Chassahowitzka River Campground, 8600 W Miss Maggie Drive. A faucet is located at the building near the boat ramp. Three other faucets located on the wheelchair ramp at the general store will be ready in a few days, after officials conduct tests on them. The campground water supply is chlorinated. The Citrus County Health Department will arrange sampling of wells in the Chassahowitzka area by request. To schedule a test, call 527-5295. The tests are free to residents of Chassahowitzka. They normally cost $40. Health Department technicians will go to the house and conduct the tests, Rashley said. The county received a $1-million grant from this year's Legislature to fund the first phases of a central sewer system in the community. Normally, central water lines are installed first but the grant did not include money for that. The Legislature's decision followed intense lobbying by the Chassahowitzka River Restoration Committee Inc., a group of property owners who blame county and state authorities for the deterioration in water quality. Last year the group sued the state Departments of Health and Environmental Protection, alleging the agencies ignored their responsibilities to protect water quality and public health. The committee could not persuade the county Health Department to perform communitywide blood testing after compiling a list of people who may have gotten ill from playing in the water. But it successfully pressured the county and the Southwest Florida Water Management District into conducting a one-year test of water wells and aging septic systems. Findings show that human waste is polluting the canals. Researchers expect the final report to be ready by the end of December. - Staff writer Josh Zimmer contributed to this report.
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