Toxic solvent found in 5 wells in San Luis Obispo

Traces of an industrial solvent at levels exceeding state regulations have been found in five wells in southern San Luis Obispo, county health officials said.

The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department issued a news release late Thursday, notifying the public that trichloroethene, or TCE, was recently found in five of 11 residential wells tested in the area of Buckley Road, east of Davenport Creek Road and Thread Lane. TCE levels exceeded the maximum contamination level allowed by state law of 5 micrograms per liter of water. The release did not say when the testing was done or the contamination level. The source of the TCE is unknown. Health officials could not be reached for more detailed information.

Owners of the contaminated wells have been notified and letters have been mailed to nearby property owners, the release said. Affected well owners have been advised to use bottled water for drinking and cooking and to install an activated carbon shower head filter until the contamination can be reduced.

People who drink water containing TCE above 5 micrograms per liter of water over time may suffer liver or kidney damage and may have an increased risk of cancer, according to health officials.

This story was originally published December 25, 2015 at 4:18 PM with the headline "Toxic solvent found in 5 wells in San Luis Obispo."