Dubuque County Veterans Affairs Director Warns of Toxic Water

By Katie Wiedemann, Reporter

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By Kelli Sutterman

Story Created: Nov 24, 2010 at 8:12 PM CDT

Story Updated: Nov 24, 2010 at 8:12 PM CDT

DUBUQUE, Iowa - The Dubuque County Veterans Affairs Director wants people to know about a national investigation at Camp Lejeune.

It revealed toxic chemicals in the water at the North Carolina Marine Corps Base. The investigation showed those toxins were in the drinking water for almost 30 years, from 1957 to 1987.

Investigators found the contamination came from the waste disposal practices of a nearby dry cleaning business. And veterans who lived there at that time could be eligible for benefits if they developed a disease later in life.

Charlie Brimeyer, of the Dubuque Co. Veterans Affairs, wants anyone who will listen to hear what he has to say. But right now, he's trying to catch the attention of military veterans and their families who lived at Camp Lejeune during those 30 years.

“Yes. It's been awhile since they closed the wells up,” said Brimeyer. “But how do you know after you get to a certain age and your body can't fight this anymore and you have this cancer and there is no explanation other than ‘I was on Camp Lejeune for those dates."

An independent research group is trying to figure out if the illnesses are a result of drinking contaminated water. Potential results that Brimeyer says can't come fast enough.

“We need to have that study released. We need to find out what is presumptive if you have this and live there between those dates.”

Brimeyer says those veterans and any civilian who lived there could be eligible for benefits if they are now sick. That could mean up to almost $2,300 dollars per month. That money is available even if the person has died.

A correlation or not, Brimeyer says, veterans deserve to know.

The Marines Public Affairs Department did not return calls from KCRG-TV9 to comment.

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