In early February of this year, elevated levels of the contaminant perfluorinated compound (PFC) were found in the Town of Blade’s drinking water. Further testing revealed that all three of the Town’s drinking water wells were affected. Although there is no current EPA regulations regarding consumption, the limit detected was above the health advisory limit. Research shows long-term exposure to PFC’s can have multiple adverse health affects including cancer, liver, and immune system impacts.
The Town of Blades’ Town Administrator, staff, Mayor, and Councilmen made the issue a high priority and immediately took action. With the assistance of Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc. (DBF), Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Emergency Response, Division of Public Health, Office of Drinking Water, Blades Volunteer Fire Company, Delaware Rural Water Association, Delaware Emergency Management Agency, and Delaware National Guard, water was supplied to citizens while the Town worked to provide clean drinking water.
As the Town Engineer, DBF was on site immediately and assisted the Town with the installation and layout of the new granular activated carbon absorption system used to remove PFC’s as well as aided the Town with the flushing of the water distribution system to remove remaining water that may be contaminated with PFC’s. DBF is currently assisting the Town of Blades in securing funding for an addition to the water treatment facility that will serve as a long-term treatment for the newly discovered contaminant. According to Principal Jason P. Loar, P.E. “We were glad to be in a position to assist the Town of Blades as they worked around the clock to provide clean drinking water during the recent emergency.”
From recognition of contaminants to providing reliably clean drinking water to the citizens of Blades took approximately two weeks, a remarkably short period of time considering the bureaucracies such situations often must navigate. The success of the effort even caught the attention of a nationally known advocate for safe drinking water: Erin Brockovich. “From discovery of contaminants to installation of a full blown Granular Activated Treatment system in less than 2-week! Freaking Phenomenal!!!” exclaimed the movie’s namesake in a recent social media post.
Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc., is a full-service architectural, engineering, and surveying firm with offices in Salisbury and Easton, Maryland, and in Milford, Delaware. For additional information about DBF, visit www.dbfinc.com.
For more information, please contact:
Cayla J. Campbell, MBA – Marketing Coordinator
Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc. | 601 East Main Street, Suite 100 | Salisbury, Maryland 21804
410-543-9091 | cjc@dbf.com | www.dbfinc.com
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