Residents packed a West Hempstead Water District meeting Thursday two days after learning a dangerous gasoline additive contaminated their water supply.

Water officials assured residents there were no longer any traces of the cancer-causing agent MTBE in the water and that it was safe to once again drink, bathe and cook with tap water. According to officials, the town went above and beyond what state law dictates in both the testing process and the length of time residents are required to be notified in the case of a contamination. Officials say state law requires testing once every three months, while the town tests every month. Also, state law allows 45 days for notification. In this case, residents were told in less than 24 hours.

Many in attendance say they initially felt the water district did not take the contamination seriously. However, they say they are less concerned after hearing what officials had to say.

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