There is concern over the safety of drinking water in part of Trempealeau County.
This comes after a frac sand mine near Independence was shut down and is now being investigated for three different violations that go against its permit with the county.
One of the violations refers to a dangerous chemical that may have gotten into the soil.
Polyacrylamide is used to wash frac sand. It contains the chemical acrylamide, which studies have linked to cancer.
The Guza mine in Trempealeau County is allowed to use polyacrylamide in its settling ponds, but the pond must be lined with concrete.
During an investigation last week at the mine, Trempealeau County officials discovered two ponds did not have that concrete. Now the mine's neighbors are concerned their drinking water is contaminated.
The mine is about four miles south of the city of Independence -- city with many people calling their county health department lately.
"Basically we received phone calls with citizens being concerned about the drinking water," Trempealeau County Health Director Sherry Rhoda said.
Rhoda said there's no proof yet any chemicals have contaminated the water.
"We don't know that anything got in there. We don't have any proof that anything, that there's been any spill or any leakage or anything," Rhoda said.
But the county is encouraging folks who are concerned to test their water.
"To see whether or not there is anything that is abnormal, the best way to know is to test," Rhoda said.
Rhoda said there is no immediate danger to the public.
The county is currently investigating and working with water experts to create some sort of plan.
"The best information for us is if anybody does any testing and we find something. So that would be part of the investigation, is the community members who are doing this and we get those reports," Rhoda said.
Rhoda said the biggest impact will be to people with wells. Those with city water should not be affected.
"The city is mandated by the law to test the water, so city water is always tested by the city. This would be people who have wells, private wells, that we would encourage them to do the testing," Rhoda said.
The county health department said it could take months to years for anything to end up in the aquifer.
Every Trempealeau County resident News 8 talked to Wednesday declined to comment about the situation.
Calls to the mine owners and the company Cameron Rail Site were unanswered as well.
If you would like a testing kit, they are available at the Trempealeau County UW-Extension office in Whitehall. Kits can cost up to $50.
There is no timeline set for either investigation.
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