Archive Index / Volusia County Health Department Provides Private Drinking Water Well Sampling Results (posted: 06/08/11)

Source: Volusia County Health Department
Contact: Stefany Strong, Public Information Officer

 - Additional samples will be conducted in coming weeks -

DELAND – Florida Department of Health’s (DOH) Volusia County Health Department (VCHD) today announced the private drinking water well sampling results from 20 wells recently tested for the pesticide dieldrin in the DeLand Country Club Estates area. The test results show that 13 of the 20 wells exceeded the Florida health advisory level for the pesticide dieldrin of 0.002 ug/L. The range above the limit is from 0.0023 ug/L to 0.044 ug/L. With the latest test results, there are now 21 of 33 wells in a quarter mile range that have tested positive for dieldrin in the DeLand Country Club Estates area.

“We understand the importance of these results to the homeowners and the community as a whole,” said Dr. Bonnie J. Sorensen, director of the Volusia County Health Department. “The latest results have indicated that we need to conduct additional sampling to get a better picture of the extent of the well contamination.”

Based on the results of the 33 wells tested, VCHD, DOH and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will sample additional wells in the coming weeks.

The Volusia County Health Department is committed to keeping the residents informed of any actions and findings each step of the way. VCHD continues to work closely with the St. Johns River Water Management District and the Department of Environmental Protection as the department moves forward.

DEP Water Supply Restoration Program is a voluntary program open to homeowners with positive dieldrin test results confirmed by DOH.

Those who elect to enter into the program are offered:

• Connection to the public drinking water system (City of Deland Utilities), or installation of a filter system

• As funding is available and upon homeowners acceptance of the selected water supply alternative, DEP will coordinate and fund the connection of residences to the local public water system.

• If connected to a public water system the homeowner is required to make a security deposit and monthly water bills.

•  Bottled water coupons are offered initially to give homeowners time to request assistance until a more permanent safe water supply is provided.

• Information about the program will be provided to eligible homeowners by mail.

Dieldrin is a synthetic chemical used to kill insects. From the 1950s until 1970, dieldrin was widely used on corn and cotton. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned all uses of dieldrin in 1974 except to control termites. In 1987, EPA banned all uses. At this time, it is unknown how the pesticide entered the wells and for how long it may have been there.

The health advisory level being exceeded in these wells is the more protective Florida standard.

• The federal EPA limit has NOT been exceeded in any of the sampled wells.

• At the levels that have been found – a resident would need to have to live there for 70 years and drink two liters of water every day to increase their chance of developing cancer to one in 100,000.

It is important to note, DOH recommends that residents with private wells have their wells tested on an annual basis.

• Information can be found on DOH’s website at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/water/privatewells.html.

• A listing of certified labs can be found on the Department of Environmental Protection’s website at http://www.floridadep.org/labs/cgi-bin/aams/index.asp

For additional information, please call the VCHD Environmental Health Office at 386-822-6240.