In Berks town, seven years of tainted water

BALLY, Pa.. - June 28, 2010

After all this time, many people have become a little paranoid.

"You never know whether you can get a condition from it," said Richard Gambler. "You just don't know."

The contamination came from the now defunct Bally Case and Cooler Company.

The company employed the use of a slew of toxic chemicals in its production cycle, including a harsh solvent called Dioxane.

Over the years it was enough to create a one square mile plume of contaminants that leached into the groundwater.

The contamination was detected by the EPA seven years ago.

Residents get monthly deliveries of bottled water, paid for with money from a settlement with the owner of the contaminated site.

The bottled water is used for cooking and drinking, but neighbors here still wash their clothing and bathe in the tainted tap water.

"The people that are in charge of this said that they didn't think it would do any harm. But how do you know that?" said Barbara Kline.

A new well for Bally is being constructed several miles away. It was supposed to be completed, and plugged into, last year.

EPA officials now say the well will be hooked up by the end of the summer. Residents who spoke to Action News said they'll believe it when they can drink it.

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