BLADES – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Division of Public Health (DPH) announced today that three private wells tested Feb. 19 in the Blades area by the US Environmental Protection Agency had returned results exceeding the EPA’s national health advisory level for perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). DNREC and EPA immediately notified the property owners of the test results and provided home carbon filtration systems for their water supply.

Two other Blades area wells in the Feb. 19 test group of five private wells were below the EPA’s health advisory of 70 parts per trillion (70/ppt) for PFCs. Of 44 private wells sampled so far by EPA in the area, six of 39 test results returned to date exceeded the EPA health advisory for PFCs.

DNREC, DPH and the Town of Blades continue to provide alternative water to area residents on private wells who request it. Containers brought in by area residents requesting water will be filled with carbon-treated water at Blades Town Hall. Water is distributed from the Blades Town Hall, 20 West Fourth Street, Blades, DE 19973 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Media contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 49

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DOVER – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) began providing bottled water Friday for drinking and cooking to residents of the Town of Blades in Sussex County. This response comes after all three of the town’s drinking water wells returned concentrations of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) above the human health advisory level (70 parts per trillion) following recent sampling by DNREC at the request of the US Environmental Protection Agency.

DNREC worked with EPA in sampling the wells given their proximity to potential sources of PFCs from historical industrial processes in the area. Water from the Blades wells that were sampled is considered safe for use by residents for bathing and laundry. Bottled water was to be delivered Friday morning to the Blades Elementary School and four day care centers in the area, and also was being provided by noon Friday to all Blades residents via delivery at the Blades Fire Hall.

Alternative sources of drinking and cooking water will be provided until a permanent solution is in place. Water will be supplied to the Town of Blades by DNREC and DPH out of an abundance of caution until additional work can determine the extent of PFC contamination in the municipal wells.

Though PFCs are not regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act, DPH is working with DNREC to minimize any potential health impacts to the community. Long-term exposure to perfluorooctanoicacid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) can affect pregnant women and infants and cause cancer and liver and immune system impacts. While much research has been conducted on laboratory animals, the accompanying research related to humans is more limited.

MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

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