The suspected carcinogen PFOA has now been found in the public water supply in Pownal. Gov. Shumlin today said test results show contamination slightly above the state advisory level.
Pownal's water system serves about 450, and the state is advising people not to drink the water. Water will be available at the Pownal Rescue Squad, 22 Ladd Brook Road, starting Friday morning, the governor's office said.
The Fire District #2 municipal water source in Pownal is just 1,000 feet from the former Warren Wire company.
That company was started by John Cook, the former Bennington resident who founded Chemfab, the company that likely contaminated about 100 wells in North Bennington.
The state says it decided to take water samples after receiving reports that Warren Wire also worked with PFOA, and that the company allegedly illegally dumped material in the area.
The Department of Environmental Conservation is trying to get a water distribution system in place and it says it will test additional sites and water sources around Pownal.
A community meeting has been scheduled for Monday.
Update 5:01 p.m. Story was updated to include information on when and where potable water will available.
