Water samples collected from public water supply wells located in New Castle County, Delaware showed levels of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) above EPA’s provisional health advisory levels (HALs). The Artesian Water Company (Artesian) and the City of New Castle Municipal Services Commission (MSC) removed the affected wells from service after consultation with the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH). Artesian and New Castle MSC are working with the state to determine the potential source(s) of contamination and expect to return the affected wells to service once the appropriate treatment for PFCs is installed.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) requested EPA’s assistance in determining whether private drinking water wells and monitoring wells in the vicinity of the New Castle County Airport have been impacted by PFCs, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
PFOS and PFOA are organic chemicals used in repellants for stains, water, oil, and grease. Commercial and consumer products containing or degrading to these compounds were first introduced in the 1950s. They have been used in a variety of products such as the fabric of upholstered furniture, carpets, nonstick cookware, floor wax, and the lining of microwave popcorn bags. Firefighting foams also contain these chemicals.
EPA is coordinating with DNREC, DPH, the Delaware Air National Guard, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the City of New Castle MSC and Artesian to ensure that public health is protected.
