Page 38 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch September 27, 2013 Health Insurance Hotline To Open Wicomico To Hold Hearing On SNOW HILL – Worcester County Health Department has launched a public hotline, 855-445-5540, to help residents of Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties apply for affordable health insurance options offered though the state health insurance exchange, Maryland Health Connection. The local hotline is a convenient way for Lower Shore residents to get personal help with applying for health insurance options and financial assistance to make health care coverage plans affordable. Residents may enroll into affordable health care plans through the state insurance marketplace, Maryland Health Connection, by visiting MarylandHealthConnection.gov, or by calling or meeting with local, trained staff of Worcester County Health Department. Open enrollment is from Oct. 1 through March 31, 2014. The hotline will be staffed from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m-6 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday. Health department employees also hold regular office hours at various locations in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. To make an appointment to meet in person, please contact the hotline. For more information after Oct. 1 about locations and community events, visit http://lowershorehealth.org. The Worcester County Health Department was awarded a grant from the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to operate a health insurance assistance program for the Lower Shore region of the state, including Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Morris Mill Public Water Issue By JOANNE SHRINER STAFF WRITER SALISBURY – The Wicomico County Council voted this month to move the possibility of installing a public water supply in the Morris Mill area to address polluted water supply to a public hearing. In 2012, Trichloroethylene (TCE) was detected in polluting well water of Morris Mill area residents. According to the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE), Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a clear liquid with a sweet odor. TCE is used as a solvent to remove grease from metals and in the production of other chemicals. It is also used in paints, varnishes, lacquers, paint removers, adhesives and other commercial and consumer products. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has concluded that long-term TCE exposure could pose risks to the nervous system, kidneys, liver, immune system, and male reproductive system. The EPA has also concluded that TCE exposure might pose risks to unborn babies, including birth defects. During a Wicomico County legislative session on Sept. 17, Wicomico County Director of Environmental Health Dennis DiCintio reported, based on the quarterly sampling MDE has conducted 77 total wells have detections of TCE. That number is up from 70 previously. Forty-five of those detections are above the maximum contaminate level of five ppb. Sixteen wells were found with detections above action level of 2.18 ppb, meaning they qualify for activated carbon units based on the population inside the residence. Sixteen wells with detections below action level of 2.18 ppb, meaning no action is required. Seven wells previously non-detected now have detections. Since November 2012, concentrations have increased in 30 wells with slight decreases in 10. “That variability is going to continue dependent on groundwater movement and use of the water, so those numbers are likely to fluctuate as sampling continues,” DiCintio said. Thirty-eight residences now have granular activated carbon (GAC units). EPAs funding initially was to end after one year but was extended an additional six months to May of 2014. Previous sampling of some of the higher concentration wells noted that the TCE was actually getting through some of the filters because of the higher concentrations requiring much more frequent recharge of the carbon. “One thing to consider is even though the EPA is funding the carbon units, MDE may not continue funding of the units if a long-term solution is not implemented, which would be difficult as the expense would be turned back over to homeowners,” DiCintio said. “MDE is watching the process closely. They are pushing this project. They would like to see a long-term solution implemented to prevent any additional costs to the homeowners.” Wicomico County Health Officer Lori Brewster added the TCE point of origin is still unknown. According to Peter Bozick of GMB Engineering, in June the Wicomico Council authorized a preliminary engineering report. The purpose at that time was to address public health concerns and to develop an engineering perspective for a long-term solution for safe drinking water for those residents in the subdivisions in the affected area. SEE NEXT PAGE