FIRST WATER QUALITY TEST RESULTS FROM COLLIER-HOGAN WELL SITE REVEALS NO EVIDENCE OF CONTAMINATION

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

FIRST WATER QUALITY TEST RESULTS FROM COLLIER-HOGAN WELL SITE REVEALS NO EVIDENCE OF CONTAMINATION 

~Results released less than a week after samples collected~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The first water quality test results have found that groundwater in Collier County has not been impacted by activities at the Collier-Hogan well. Today’s lab results have been shared with the Collier County Commission.

So far, samples have been analyzed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for 142 of approximately 170 constituents, including chemicals injected into the Collier-Hogan well during the workover procedure. Of these 140 constituents that DEP’s laboratory analyzed, no groundwater contamination was detected.

Only 13 constituents were measured at detectable levels, and all 13 are common constituents naturally present in Florida’s groundwater. The remaining 127 constituents were not even detected in the groundwater samples taken last week at the Collier-Hogan well site. Analysis for the remaining approximately 30 constituents is being conducted by two private labs, with results expected later this week.

“Our lab technicians expedited their analysis and today we have confirmation that the first water quality tests show that contamination in the area is highly unlikely,” said DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. “DEP remains committed to continuing to sample the area to ensure the protection of the health and safety of Collier County residents and the environment. We look forward to sharing the additional results from the two private labs when received.”

The samples were taken from six new aquifer monitoring wells installed last week, as well as two pre-existing water production wells used for on-site operations at the Collier-Hogan site. Of the six wells installed for water quality sampling, four were at the Collier-Hogan well site, one was at the Permit 86 site, which is a former oil well drill site, and one was one-half mile north of the Collier-Hogan well.

DEP lab results, together with the results from the two private labs, will provide data that will allow the Department to conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine whether the workover performed by Dan A. Hughes was designed and carried out in a way to ensure groundwater standards are not violated. A report of DEP’s analysis is expected by December 1, 2014.

DEP’s lab results can be found HERE.