Because of blending water from the four city wells, the benzene level of the treated water tested 8 ppb, below the maximum contaminate level of 10 ppb.
On Nov. 5, the Department of Health recommended the well be taken out of service until further testing and coordination with the Pollution Control Agency could take place. The well was taken out of service on Thursday, Nov. 6.
“This was our best well,” Dennis Wilde, city administrator, said. “But to play it safe, we took it out of service. The other three city wells have acceptable levels of benzene.” Two of the three wells are located south of Highway 23 on the east edge of town and the third well is by the city shop near Cenex on Railroad Street.