EPA Region 7 to Host Public Availability Session on Radium in Silex, Missouri, Public Water System
Community members concerned about their drinking water are encouraged to attend on Oct. 5
LENEXA, KAN. (OCT. 4, 2023) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 and partner agencies will host a Public Availability Session at the Silex R-1 School District Gymnasium in Silex, Missouri, on Oct. 5. The team will share information and answer community members’ questions about the presence of radium in water from the Silex Public Water System (PWS).
The EPA Region 7 representatives will be available to answer questions from community members during the session from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by a presentation starting at 7 p.m. The representatives also will be available to answer questions after the presentation.
Details are below:
Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023
- Public Availability Session: 6 to 7 p.m.
- Presentation: 7 to 8 p.m.
Silex R-1 School District Gymnasium
64 State Hwy UU
Silex, MO 63377
Background
The public water supply in the city of Silex has previously exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for radium in drinking water established under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The naturally occurring Radium is present in the groundwater that supplies the Silex PWS. Data from August 2023 indicates an average concentration of radium in drinking water of 5.75 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), compared to the MCL, or federal regulatory maximum allowed standard, of 5 pCi/L. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires the Silex PWS to notify the public of all MCL exceedances.
The level of radium in drinking water served by the Silex PWS does not pose an immediate threat to public health. EPA is concerned that consistent, long-term consumption of Silex’s drinking water may lead to an increased risk of negative health impacts over time.
EPA encourages members of the Silex community to use alternative sources of drinking water, such as bottled water, for drinking and cooking as the level of radium in drinking water served by the Silex PWS has frequently exceeded the federal regulatory standard for a number of years.
EPA is working with the city and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to ensure that a permanent, long-term solution is implemented as quickly as possible, and that interim measures are put in place to provide drinking water to the community that meets the regulatory standards until a permanent solution is in place.
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