SHAHEEN ANNOUNCES EPA DECISION TO EXTEND WATER LINES FOR RAYMOND HOMES AFFECTED BY MOTTOLO SUPERFUND SITE

(Washington, D.C.)-U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be extending the Town of Raymond's water lines to affected homeowners south and west of the Mottolo Superfund Site in an effort to prevent further contamination. This decision comes after elevated levels of contaminants were found in area homeowners' wells, prompting Shaheen to take action and bring together the EPA and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to safeguard drinking water for Raymond residents.

"Safeguarding the water our families drink is critical for public health, and this decision will help keep the residents of Raymond safe," said Shaheen. "I applaud the EPA for taking appropriate action, and I am hopeful that the Town of Raymond, the Department of Environmental Services and the EPA will continue to work together as the new water lines are installed."

Specifically, homes on the upper portion of Blueberry Lane, the western portion of Strawberry Lane, and Windemere Drive will be connected to the new water lines. EPA officials will go door-to-door in Raymond on Friday, July 30 and will post information on the extended water lines in the Raymond Library.

Over the past year, Shaheen has worked with Raymond officials, community members, EPA leaders and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to ensure funding to support groundwater monitoring and testing was available to the community. In late 2009, Shaheen sent a letter to Jackson urging for the EPA to take swift action and develop a long term solution for the affected residents, and she spoke directly to Jackson and asked her to expedite the release of funding for groundwater testing.  In November, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services was awarded $250,000 for additional funding for groundwater testing around the site.