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Show Xr-. it- - v CAP-P- T v-- 07 Galt 200 La!-'- T C 0'Jr: APPM. UTAH PPGGG W - GHp G C-i- 01 l GlP'i- 500 VOLUME 90 NO. 41 THURSDAY. AUGUST 27. 1998 MAGNA. UTAH 84044 Is there Perchlorate in Magna's drinking water? byALANBLAIN to manufacture or test solid rocket fuels for the Department of Defense. STAFF WRITER Is there Perchlorate in Magna's water supply? The answer is no -but for how long. The first question you might ask is what is Perchlorate. The answer is Perchlorate is the primary oxidizer in solid rocket fuel which is used at Alliant Techsystems. Perchlorate originates as a contaminant in the environment from solid salts of ammonium, potassium, or sodium perchlorate. Perchlorate salts are quite soluble in water and the resultant anion is quite mobile in aqueous systems and can persist for many decades under typical groundwater and surface water conditions. Until 1988, waste products from Perchlorate were not contained at Alliant Techsystems and the chemical was allowed to enter the ground water supply. Ten years later, the chemical spills could become Magna's worst nightmare. A team of experts from the Perchlorate Steering Committee met with Magna citizens to answer questions and concerns pertaining to this potential threat Lieutenant Col. Dan Rogers from Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio said although all the health effects are not known at this time, studies indicate some potential health problems could exist from overexposure. "We know Perchlorate has an effect on the thyroid but we don't know to what extent." Across the nation, over 35 states have found Perchlorate in ground water systems, the worst being California, where twelve facilities were used Inter-Agen- cy Magna has 15 wells that supply the distribution system for the community. Although Magna's drinking water has tested negative for Perchlorate, Magna's Barton Number 5 Well has tested positive for early stages of Perchlorate contamination. Barton Number 5 has been shut down under the direction of the Magna Water District for testing and study. "We're on top of this problem," said Brent Huish, manager of the Magna Water District. "Our community needs to understand our drinking water is safe and we will keep our community members informed about the situation." Huish informed the committee that the water district and the board of trustees serve 27,000 customers who count on them to provide safe Albertsons Food and Drug is under construction on 3500 South ust west of 8000 West drinking water for the residents of in Magna. Opening is set for later this year, providing local residents with three large Magna. "We need to be able to give the supermarkets. public some answers," said Board of Trustee member Norm Jordan. "As long as my mouth still works I will fight this thing through until we get some, answers. We should have taken action back in 1988 when the problem first arose instead of waiting until now." "There has been a constant Commission has held one of these According to Rachael Cassady by GARY R. BLODGETT EDITOR Services Summits from the Division of Drinking Municipal growth throughout unincorporated in Lake the the Salt a County necessitating budgetinvolving public Water, Magna's distribution system Is Salt Lake County suffering a tremendous increase in services," will be tested on a quarterly basis making process. to assure it is not contaminated and ."shortfall" of some $10.6 million if said a Commission spokesperson. "There are only two things to do the Magna Water District will work it does not revamp it's annual budHe stressed that only unincorpotaxes or reduce services get? Environmental the with rated areas in the county are closely Alliant Protection Salt Lake County Commissioners and the Commission would like to involved. Incorporated cities Agency, hear from the public as to their such as West Valley residents and are concerned and have scheduled Magna Techsystems City - have desires." to assure that the system remains a public hearing tonight (Thursday, their own budgets and provide clean and safe for its residents. He said this is the first time the their own services. Aug. 27) and Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers, 2001 S. State St., Building 0 The shortfall, it was explained, could affect many of the services offered by the County to unincorporated communities - siich as An elderly widowed woman, a If you would be interested in mind. We still want ideas, and later Magna. is resident in of Magna, longtime contributing your spare time or we will hold meetings and get affected are Services to potentially need volunteers of dire help donating funds for the materials input from property owners in the , fire and protec-zoning, of planning the with her needed, please contact the Magna exterior painting area But for now, all we want are animal tion and law enforcement, 6 home and hauling refuse to the Times at and leave a a comprehensive study and papersnow dump. and services, work that can be used for the control phone number where you can be removal, street lighting, street Attempts have been made to reached as well as the time of day future," said Brian Hall, WVC proetc. maintenance, contact organizations normally you would be most accessible. jects manager. this able do to We would really like to accomindicated sort of but work, Commissioners he "hotels "For example," they said, with either an their consumed the are have to and grocery stores along 3500 may budget, plish this project before the bad reshape other out into or of excess their in and of weather sets in, stated the want public input South have struggled to blend projects decision. with existing manufacturing busifunding. spokesperson for the project. nesses, rental shops and restaurants. The study primarily east of the complex north and south of 3500 South will be made during the next few months to determine if the area is "blighted." A color photo of die Magna Ethnic ami Mining Hall noted, however, that the res' on Historic Main Street highlights the front Museum 7 eve p ?, :i f V&t Vs w tvv v'; ; idential area east of the The hack cover 'is' a Kennecott Utah Copper frectfe' hot off ovsr dreoew between 3100 and 3500 South, is ' with a color photo of the famous open pit mine. ' ''SMd ready fhr rupJby the public. "in pretty good shape." " ' ; v " New directories can he picked up at Colosimos ' Properties in the study area must Market Zions Bank, First Security Bank, Standard 'oVt; show signs of blight before the advRrtismo rtbv&Mh Garfield Credit Union, Magna Water Department, West Valley City Redevelopment for personal Senior Citizens palhs Center, and die Magna Magnr Agency (which is also the City -st 80 pages of Times Office. . p 7 ip&ikisd, ; A V. . Council) can declare the area Other pickup sites will be . announced as they blighted. become available. See on page 12 Albertson's Under Construction ' Facilitate $ 10.6 million shortfall? Commission slates public hearings tonight, Sept. 1 to discuss revamping annual budget -- Study to guide future of WVC Gateway Project Volunteers, donations sought to help with painting, cleanup N-0- -- Blight to play major role in redevelopment of area 250-565- by GARY R. BLODGETT EDITOR West Valley City has hired Bob of Bonneville to Associates, study the proposed West Valley City Gateway Project in the eastern sector of the city. Spring-meye- r, The initial study area extends west of the Jordan River to and from 3100 South to 3700 South, excluding the Complex. The city had proposed this area as the East Gateway prior to a detailed study of the neighborhood consulting by an group. However, the current study will key on commercial use only and will not include any proposals concerned with residents living in the area out-of-sta- te "We want, to see what can be done to help commercial development. There is no firm plan in - Magna Phone books available to residents - ;i - crates gateway - ;' |