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National Guard helps after toxins found in town’s wells

By RANDALL CHASE, Associated Press
Published: February 9, 2018, 4:59pm
4 Photos
Pallets of drinking water are uploaded at Blades Elementary School, Friday, Feb. 9, 2018, in Blades. Del. State environmental and public health officials announced late Thursday that sampling done at the request of the Environmental Protection Agency found that all three of the town of Blade’s drinking water wells had high concentrations of perfluorinated compounds.
Pallets of drinking water are uploaded at Blades Elementary School, Friday, Feb. 9, 2018, in Blades. Del. State environmental and public health officials announced late Thursday that sampling done at the request of the Environmental Protection Agency found that all three of the town of Blade’s drinking water wells had high concentrations of perfluorinated compounds. (Jason Minto/The News Journal via AP) Photo Gallery

DOVER, Del. — Gov. John Carney has authorized the National Guard to assist residents of a southern Delaware town after high levels of toxic chemicals were discovered in municipal wells.

Authorities said Friday that the Guard has provided two 400-gallon portable water tanks and coordinated troops to ensure 24-hour water distribution operations to the residents of Blades. A 5,000-gallon water tanker is prepared for follow-up support, officials said.

State environmental and public health officials announced late Thursday that sampling requested by the Environmental Protection Agency found concentrations of perfluorinated compounds above the human health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion in all three of the town’s drinking water wells.

Timothy Ratsep, a program administrator for the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, said results from sampling done in late January showed PFC levels in the three wells ranging from 96 to 187.1 parts per trillion.

“We do not know the source or sources here, and we’re continuing to evaluate the conditions,” he said.

Water will be supplied to the town, which has a population of about 1,400, “out of an abundance of caution” until the extent of the contamination is determined, officials said.

State officials called the well water safe for bathing and laundry, but not for drinking or cooking.

Although PFCs are not regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA has said exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate over certain levels can have adverse health effects.

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