SILEX, Mo. — The City of Silex has agreed to come up with a plan to address radium contamination found in the city's drinking water.
The town of about 250 in Lincoln County entered into a state of emergency and temporarily shut off water service in late September after the Missouri Department of Natural Resources detected unsafe levels of radium in multiple samples of water.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Silex has reported radium levels in its drinking water that exceed federal standards since 2012. The naturally occurring radioactive substance originates in the groundwater the city uses for its public water supply, which emits low levels of radiation that can cause cancer after long-term exposure.
The EPA announced Tuesday that Silex had agreed to resolve alleged violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Under an Administrative Compliance Order filed on Oct. 26, the city will develop and submit a plan to the EPA to address the radium contamination.
Under the order's terms, Silex will submit and put into action a short-term plan to provide alternative drinking water to residents, while also implementing a long-term plan to bring the water system into compliance with federal radium standards.
According to the EPA, residents can continue drinking Silex water for now, as it does not pose a significant health risk in the short term. However, the EPA encouraged anyone who is concerned to use alternative drinking water.
The water is also safe for bathing, handwashing and other uses that involve skin contact, the EPA said.