Westport residents raise concerns over water testing costs, communication after fire

WESTPORT, Mass. (WJAR) — Residents living near the Mid City Steel fire in Westport are raising concerns about possible groundwater contamination and the cost of water testing following Monday’s massive scrap yard fire.

The Westport Board of Health is advising anyone with private wells within a 1.5-mile radius of the facility to test their water after runoff from firefighting efforts raised concerns about contaminants entering the groundwater.

Officials said testing should include petroleum compounds, heavy metals and PFAS.

Paul Perrotti Jr. with RI Analytical Laboratories said private well owners should take the advisory seriously.

“When you’re on a well, you’re pulling water directly from an aquifer in the ground,” Perrotti said. “We’re concerned about materials leaching into the ground and contaminants leaching into the ground, and now in turn resulting directly in your drinking water.”

Perrotti said comprehensive testing could cost around $1,500 per household. He added that the company may be able to offer reduced pricing if many residents request testing at the same time.

Tanya Melancon said her mother lives within the testing zone and learned about the advisory online Tuesday afternoon.

“Like should we get it tested today? Wait until after the rain? And how often should we get it done, maybe once a week for a couple of weeks? There was just no guidance at all,” Melancon said.

She also questioned why residents may have to pay for the testing themselves.

“When we found that out, it’s like, wait a minute, the company caused the issue, but yet the people have to pay for it. That’s not fair,” she said.

Melancon said many residents are also frustrated by what they describe as limited communication from town officials after the advisory was posted online.

NBC 10’s Leanna Faulk reports. (WJAR)

NBC 10 News went to the home of Westport Board of Health Chair Tanja Ryden Tuesday seeking answers. No one answered the door.

NBC 10 News also called and messaged Ryden and the board’s secretary but did not hear back.

NBC 10 News reached out to Mid City Steel for comment and is still waiting to hear back.