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Blades residents getting bottled water after tainted wells discovered

Courtesy of CDC

The Town of Blades, which is home to nearly 1,400 people, has three wells that provide drinking water to residents.

But recent state sampling shows all three of those wells have high levels of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), which are not safe to drink.
Delaware's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced Thursday night they are working with the state's Division of Public Health to provide bottled water for drinking and cooking to residents. DNREC said the well water is still safe for bathing and laundry.

The state will deliver bottled water to Blades Elementary School Friday morning and will give water to residents at Blades Fire Hall around noon.

Blades Elementary School announced on social media Thursday night it will be closed to students Friday due to the water issue, but faculty and staff should report to school after 10 a.m.

The state will supply water to Blades "out of abundance of caution until additional work can determine the extent of PFC contamination in the municipal wells," DNREC said in a press release.

Longterm exposure to PFCs can cause cancer. PFCs can also damage the liver and immune system. 

The EPA says levels of PFCs above 70 parts per trillionare unsafe and pose a risk to human health.