Oklahoma Town Sues Company Over Well Contamination

City officials in Lone Grove, Okla., have sued a pesticide company for allegedly contaminating Lone Grove’s water supply with weed killer.

The lawsuit alleges that the chemical got into the city’s water supply Jan. 23, 2008, when Michael Burns, owner of Mike’s Pest Control in Lone Grove, failed to use a back flow preventer and created a backflow of concentrate into the water lines.

Without water for 10 days, various food services and businesses had to close, resulting in a loss of sales taxes for the city. The city is seeking $66,980 in total damages.

“We’re basically alleging negligence on his part in that he didn’t follow proper procedures,” while filling a chemical tank, Lone Grove City Attorney Johnny Loard said.

It was estimated that 25 gallons of the chemical was released into a creek bed. To prevent further contamination, the creek was dammed above and below the site, completely cutting off the water flow.

The Department of Environmental Quality shut down the city’s water supply and tested it for other contaminants.

Burns said his lawyer advised him not to comment on the allegations but Loard said a standard answer was filed denying the allegations. Co-owner Shane Burns is also named in the lawsuit.

District Court Judge Lee Card set a Sept. 18 date for a pretrial conference.

Information from: The Oklahoman, www.newsok.com and The Daily Ardmoreite, www.ardmoreite.com