Dive summary:
- Officials in Maine believe a landfill from the 1970s and '80s may be responsible for elevated levels of manganese detected in groundwater.
- While the levels detected do not pose a large risk to people, manganese has been known to affect the nervous system and can cause neurological effects.
- In attempt to temporarily restrict the problem, the town is extending a management zone around the landfill to include an adjacent vacant lot and banning the use of wells on the site.
From the article:
The state believes a former municipal landfill from the 1970s and '80s may be responsible for elevated levels of manganese detected in groundwater near Breakfast Hill Road.
Town officials contend the elevated manganese levels may be naturally occurring, but say it would be more trouble than it is worth to prove that theory. Instead, the town is accepting the state's proposal to extend a management zone around the landfill to include a vacant lot on the opposite side of Route 1. ...
