Sept. 4, 2000
Critics of a giant hog farm in southwestern Utah say scientists have found a "smoking gun," linking pig sewage to human illness.
State regulators say it's too soon to tell if the link really exists.
But new D.N.A. tests show bacteria in drinking water wells near Milford are biologically similar to germs in a well at the giant Circle Four Hog Farms.
Environment Specialist John Hollenhorst has the exclusive story.
Previous studies in the vicinity of Circle Four Hog Farms confirmed bacterial contamination underground.
The germs turn up in well water at neighboring homes.
STEVEN CLYDE/ATTORNEY FOR NEIGHBORS: "WE HAD EXTREMELY HIGH INCIDENTS OF RESPIRATORY AND INTESTINAL ILLNESS IN THE MILFORD AREA. MANY, MANY PEOPLE SICK. MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN SICK FOR FIVE YEARS AND CAN'T GET RID OF THEIR PROBLEM. THEY WANT TO KNOW THE CAUSE."
State regulators have been unable to pinpoint the source of the germs.
DON OSTLER/DIRECTOR, UTAH DIV. OF WATER QUALITY: "WE'VE CONDUCTED THREE SUBSTANTIAL STUDIES, AND TO DATE NONE OF THOSE STUDIES HAD SHOWN A LINK BETWEEN CIRCLE FOUR."
But a new state-funded DNA study by the University of Idaho underlines the possibility of a link.
Preliminary findings say "potentially dangerous microorganisms" in a residential well and a well on the hog farm have "similar bacterial signatures" indicating a "high likelihood of a common source."
STEVEN CLYDE/ATTORNEY FOR NEIGHBORS: "WELL, I THINK IT'S NOT ONLY A SMOKING GUN IN THAT CONTEXT. BUT I THINK IT CREATES A VERY REAL AND IMMINENT HEALTH RISK TO THE COMMUNITY."
State regulators sought a second opinion from experts at Iowa State University.
DON OSTLER/DIRECTOR, UTAH DIV. OF WATER QUALITY: "BUT WHAT THEY TELL US AT THIS TIME IS THERE COULD BE MANY COMMON SOURCES OF THE BACTERIA."
State officials theorize the germs come from the Beaver River, which carries runoff into the ground from other livestock and farming operations. The link to Circle Four is unproven.
DON OSTLER/DIRECTOR, UTAH DIV. OF WATER QUALITY: "WE BELIEVE THE DATA IS TOO PRELIMINARY TO DRAW THAT CONCLUSION. AND MORE WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE. AND WE'RE TRYING TO WORK ON THAT TO GET THOSE ANSWERS."
Medical evidence may actually support the theory that something else is to blame. Hospital records were studied back to 1992 in Milford.
DON OSTLER/DIRECTOR, UTAH DIV. OF WATER QUALITY: "THAT STUDY SHOWS THERE WERE HIGHER INCIDENTS OF THESE ILLNESSES BEFORE CIRCLE FOUR ARRIVED."
To get better answers, health questionnaires were mailed a few days ago to 1,200 homes. With all these studies underway, the state approved a major expansion of the hog farm late last month. Critics say it's because of high-level political pressure.
STEVEN CLYDE/ATTORNEY FOR NEIGHBORS: "AND THE STATE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES, WHO OUGHT TO BE PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF THE PUBLIC, APPEAR TO BE PROTECTING THE INDUSTRY ITSELF RATHER THAN WORKING FOR THE PUBLIC. AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY A SHAME."
DON OSTLER/DIRECTOR, UTAH DIV. OF WATER QUALITY: "CERTAINLY THERE ARE ALWAYS PRESSURES. CERTAINLY THERE IS NOTHING UNUSUAL WITH REGARDS TO THIS." REPORTER: "LET ME BE MORE EXPLICIT. HAVE YOU BEEN PRESSURED BY YOUR BOSSES TO GET THIS THING DONE?" DON OSTLER: "NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT."
JOHN HOLLENHORST REPORTING: "THERE IS NO SMOKING GUN, STATE OFFICIALS SAY. AND THEY CLAIM THE STUDIES ARE SO INCONCLUSIVE, THEY HAVE NO LEGAL BASIS TO BLOCK THE HOG FARM EXPANSION."
The state plans further consultations with other universities, the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control.
