Cortland County man says he’s concerned about natural gas in his water

PREBLE, NY (WBNG) -- A Cortland County man can fill up a jug of water, take off the cap and light the water on fire. This is a direct result of natural gas in his water supply.

Frank Holden has lived at his home in Preble, NY for more than 25 years, but for many of those years, he had no clue his water supply posed a risk until he got a water softener installed in 2019.

Holden told 12 News he is concerned that basic, everyday activities in his home could be harmful to the children that live there. He said he is worried that the natural gas could be compromising their health.

“I don’t want the kids to get sick and taking showers is not a good thing,” said Holden. “They come out and basically they look like they have measles: The younger kids do.”

Holden’s property was surveyed in 2019 and he said he was told the best he could do was increase the temperature on his water heater. He thought this was something he would live with for the rest of his life until he received a call from Environmental Activist Walter Hang of Toxics Targeting.

Hang told 12 News that he believes this issue is widespread throughout New York State.

“It isn’t just Mr. Holden and it isn’t just Preble, NY,” said Hang. “Toxics Targeting has posted a total of 44 spill profiles and some of these are just unbelievably problematic where people reported drinking water contamination.”

On Tuesday morning, a representative from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation came to Holden’s home to learn more about the issue.

In a statement to 12 News, the DEC said, in part:

“Private water well owners are responsible for well maintenance. Because methane occurs naturally in water wells throughout New York, and because it is odorless and colorless, well owners are advised to have their water wells vented to allow any gas present in the well water to be released to the atmosphere rather than becoming trapped in the plumbing and transported to a house. For additional information, DEC encourages well owners to contact their local county health departments. Homeowners are also advised to contact a licensed plumber to perform any work necessary to vent their wells.”