Saue expands water testing as contamination source remains unclear

The cause of water contamination in the city of Saue remains unknown, ERR reports. The Saue municipality is expanding water sampling, with the Health Board also investigating possible links between the contamination and illnesses reported in the area.

The municipality’s crisis committee decided Monday to continue investigating the source. Additional samples will be taken from a wider area around the known contamination zone to assess the condition of the groundwater, identify the possible spread of contamination and exclude unaffected areas.

Over the weekend, municipal and Environmental Board officials inspected onsite wastewater systems in northwestern Saue, in the area between Kivipõllu Street and the railway. During the past few days, they checked about 30 to 40 systems.

The municipality said the overall situation was poor. Deficiencies were found on several properties, and some systems did not meet requirements. Tanks requiring urgent intervention were emptied and their condition was checked further. However, there is currently no basis to conclude that any of these systems caused the groundwater contamination.

Officials are also continuing to investigate a possible connection with construction work on Rauna Street. The municipality said the investigation is complicated by the lack of precise information about the speed and direction in which the contamination is spreading.

The work is proceeding on two fronts: identifying the main source and preventing further contamination, while more precisely defining the area affected by the existing pollution.

Water from private drilled wells in the area suspected of contamination should not be used for drinking, preparing food or beverages, or brushing teeth, the municipality said. It may be used for washing. The contamination does not affect households connected to the public water supply.