SALISBURY, Md. - Maryland environmental officials are warning Wicomico County residents that an industrial solvent has likely been in their water supply for at least several years.

The Daily Times of Salisbury reports ( http://bitly.com/SV4RjC) that the state Department of the Environment briefed residents on the contamination at a Thursday meeting.

Officials say they're not sure who's responsible for the trichloroethene contamination, but that the chemical was likely dumped from gallons or drums. The colorless liquid is often used to remove grease from metal.

The county health department says 46 of the 113 wells that have been tested are above the threshold for trichloroethene.

Clifford Mitchell, director of environmental health for the state department of Health and Mental Hygiene, says symptoms from trichloroethylene don't show up for years.

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Information from: The Daily Times of Salisbury, Md., http://www.delmarvanow.com/

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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