Vernon Center neighbors facing issues with their drinking water could get the help they need within the next few years.

A well project to address issues with the water in numerous households hopes to break ground by early 2022.


What You Need To Know

  • Neighbors in Vernon Center have seen high sodium and chloride levels in their well water

  • The water has damaged appliances and water treatment systems

  • Residents are hopeful the town's well project will alleviate these issues once it's complete

For residents like Tony Peppenelli, turning on the faucet brings cloudy, undrinkable water.

It’s not just a concern for drinking, but also appliances. The dishwasher in his kitchen is only about a year old, but the inside is already rusted. In other areas of the house, like the bathroom, the water has corroded the faucet and showerhead, which he says have also only been in the house for about a year.

The damage is a result of high sodium and chloride levels in his water.

"It got into the house, into all my appliances. Ate it right up, just like battery acid would eat your skin," said Peppenelli.

Inside the home, he also keeps a record of the bills from replacing appliances, as well as the results of water samples that show how high the sodium and chloride levels are.

"It's almost tripled. It was bad, from when it was bad, three times worse now,” said Peppenelli.

His neighbor, Douglas Lockwood, has similar issues. In the basement, he has quite the setup to try and treat the water that comes into his home from the well.

"Five grand here, at least, times three, because I've had two other systems that cost me approximately the same thing apiece,” Lockwood said.

Even with all the treatment, his water is still undrinkable. But he’s hopeful the town’s well project will bring relief.

"A long time coming, but it'll work out," he said.

In the meantime, he and other residents are receiving water from the state.