FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) - Whirlpool Corp. wants Fort Smith to make it illegal to drill water wells near the site of its former factory.
Representatives of the company explained to city directors Tuesday that a spill of a degreasing solvent in the 1980s left contamination in the groundwater.
The Southwest Times Record reports (http://is.gd/i2kN4O ) that the company wants to prevent people from tapping water contaminated with trichloroethylene, which is believed to be a cancer-causing chemical.
City Attorney Jerry Canfield said the proposed ordinance would not block residents' from pursuing Benton Harbor, Mich.-based Whirlpool for compensation.
Whirlpool closed its Fort Smith refrigerator plant last year and moved the work to Mexico.
Information from: Southwest Times Record, http://www.swtimes.com/
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