Why is the Navy keeping well test results such a big secret?

Editor,

There are a couple ongoing themes of the water well contamination on Whidbey Island that are concerning.

The first is the Navy’s insistence that it may not be responsible for the water contamination. The quote from the recent article, “Navy officials said it is too early to speculate about the cause of the contamination.”

Really? I would love the Navy to share its theories as to the cause of the wells’ contamination. I’m sure this is litigation speak from their side.

The second issue is this statement from the recent article, “Navy officials emphasize that testing is free and that results are not being shared with the public, beyond generalized information about the number of wells affected.”

Why not? This is a public health issue and any test results should be shared with the public. Just because the EPA sets a limit doesn’t mean the Navy should only disclose those properties that are over the limit.

We all know humans are different and each tolerates toxins differently. Any result that shows any level of these toxins should be released to the public. Does the Navy not want to release these because they don’t want the public to know a majority of the wells are tainted to some degree?

Where are the Island County commissioners on this issue? You’d think in an issue of such great importance to the health of its citizens they would take the lead in demanding this information from the Navy.

Apparently settling a beach access dispute and squabbling with the county attorney is more important.

Thomas Kosloske

Oak Harbor