WATER contamination investigations got under way in Sandridge this week, as the threat of further flooding this winter increases.

Many residents fear the long-awaited bromate checks will be sabotaged by rising groundwater levels due to rain on saturated soil.

Drilling of boreholes at St Leonard's Court the main residential area affected by the discovery of bromate in groundwater last year started on Monday, November 5.

Results of the investigation, undertaken by The Environment Agency on behalf of St Albans District Council, should determine whether levels of the potentially carcinogenic chemical exceed the national limit.

However, an investigation last year, which involved digging 26 boreholes on the site, failed to produce conclusive results because of "inadequate methods".

Further testing has been delayed by record flooding, technical constraints and lack of information about the source of contamination, according to the agency's bromate project manager Jon Newton.

Discovered during routine checks in May last year, the bromate is believed to be residual waste from the former Steetley Chemicals factory, which operated on the site from 1955 to 1980.

An investigation should have been done in the summer when it was dry, according to parish councillor James Black, who owns general store Darby's, in High Street.

He said: "I think they are going to get in the same situation as last year where they dig the boreholes too low and it floods. The groundwater in Sandridge is higher now than it was this time last year."

However, Mr Newton denies high groundwater levels will affect the accuracy of bromate checks.

He said: "Groundwater does not respond to rain in the same way as rivers.

"The levels have not come up so far this year and the accuracy of results will not be affected by it it's an unfounded fear."

The drilling is scheduled to take between two and three weeks and results should be available early next year.

If bromate levels are found to exceed national limits, the land will be designated as contaminated and a clean-up operation will be implemented.

Hertfordshire Health Authority officers have advised St Albans District Council that if bromate is found, health risks would be extremely remote, although regular checks would be essential.

A letter and factsheet explaining how the law on contaminated land could affect Sandridge has been issued to residents by the Environment Agency.

Mr Newton said: "We understand residents may be worried about the bromate issue and its effect on their property values, which is why we have tried to bring together what useful information we could.

"We hope it will be of particular use to buyers and sellers of properties at St Leonard's Court or their solicitors."

November 7, 2001 12:49

Clair Weaver