HAVRE, Mont. — Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway intends to launch a project to prevent a contaminant found last summer in groundwater from reaching drinking water in the unincorporated community of North Havre, the Associated Press reported.
The contaminant, vinyl chloride, was detected in groundwater in the community just across the Milk River from Havre at levels above what is permitted by Montana water quality standards.
So far, none of the chemical, a compound associated with chlorine solvents sometimes used by railroads, has been detected in drinking water samples, but officials don’t want to take any chances.
“It is a concern,” said Kate Fry of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
Vinyl chloride was previously detected at a nearby rail yard, and the state DEQ has required BNSF to conduct quarterly tests of drinking water as a precaution.
Fry said tests over the summer found levels of the chemical as high as 35 parts per billion in some groundwater samples, far greater than the 2 parts per billion the state DEQ considers acceptable.
The contamination, however, was not widespread, she said.
Additional tests of drinking water from residents’ wells were negative for vinyl chloride.
Burlington Northern’s project is intended to make sure well samples continue to test negative.
BNSF intends to drill horizontal wells that will be filled with sodium lactate, a substance that could speed up the degradation of the chlorides.
The DEQ hasn’t approved use of the sodium lactate yet, Fry said.
“We’ve asked for some additional information before approving injection,” she said.
This is not the first time BNSF has been involved in monitoring water contamination in North Havre.
“We have had continuous, ongoing monitoring and remediation and recovery over the years,” said Gus Melonas, a spokesman for BNSF.
Compounds associated with diesel fuel were detected in the water several years ago, and DEQ required the company to monitor and treat the problem, Fry said.
The company also is improving its wastewater treatment plant.