WALLA WALLA -- Decades of toxic contamination at the State penitentiary could now be taking a toll on some water sources. The city water is said to be safe but what about other sources?

You can't see it with the naked eye. But it's there: toxic chemicals in the groundwater.

"We investigate the nature of the release and then begin to clean up," Sandra Treconni said in a phone interview, Department of Ecology Toxics Cleanup Spokesperson.

The State Department of Ecology found chemicals near a city landfill downstream from landfills at the Walla Walla penitentiary.

It means Ecology must put some wells upstream to find the source of trouble.

Ecology reps said the toxins could very well have come chemicals used in prison work years ago. And that's just part of the story.

Back when Nixon was in office, the landfills were used for construction cast-offs. More than a decade later, toxins were found. A couple years later, the landfills listed as hazardous.

So why did it take so long to investigate?

"Why did it take so long? That's based on the fact that there are plenty of one and two ranked sites out there," Treconni said.

The pen's site is ranked a "3". One is the worst, and Treconni said a general rule in their department is "look up the worst first." Now, Ecology will test the soil, the water, and the find out exactly what the contaminants are. So far, the city water is safe to drink.

"The question mark is if the wells are not on city water," Treconni said. "Those people with wells are a number of factors even to determine if there might be a risk."

"If they say there are problems then I might test my personal well again," Alan Laib said.

Alan Laib uses a ground well. Even though he's part of a group of people who could be at risk he's not concerned...yet.

"Not until they're all done," Laib said.

Good news is, Department of Ecology doesn't think the contamination spread far. But even if his ground water isn't affected his shop might be. Laib works for Exxon Mobile right next to the pen.

"I think whenever there's a fuel plant somewhere or a big fuel tank somewhere, I think there's a possibility of contamination, yes," Laib said.

The Department of Ecology is also looking at whether local businesses have leached any toxins into the ground.

The State Department of Ecology will meet with Walla Walla residents Wednesday, November 19, at 7pm, at the Walla Walla Housing Authority at 501 Cayuse Street.