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Tainted Artesian Water Company Well Near New Castle

Don Rush

NEW CASTLE, Del. (AP) - Delaware's largest residential water supplier says it has shut down a well near New Castle after high levels of a toxic chemical were detected.

The Wilmington News Journal reported Tuesday that state public health regulators posted a notice in mid-June of an elevated level of perfluorooctane sulfonate in the Wilmington Manor supply well owned by Artesian Water.

The level was nine times higher than a provisional level set by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Provisional levels are not legally enforceable standards but signal a need for action to reduce exposure

The chemical is used to make non-stick, non-stain coatings.

Artesian Water Executive Vice President Joseph A. DiNunzio says the well is part of a large network of water sources that dilutes the contribution from any individual well.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.