Still, a filtering system on the wells will be installed.
The School District has sent a letter to parents of North Marion Middle School students to assure them that well water supplying the school has been tested by the state and is safe.
“But we will install a filtering system there.” The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Florida Department of Health (DOH) have been testing wells in parts of northwest Marion County, part of an effort to look for possible contamination from past activity in the area.
“Officials tested North Marion Middle School’s drinking water wells during these efforts, specifically looking for a set of chemical components including Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS),” says the letter, which was sent to parents on Monday.
“All samples showed levels of PFAS far below the Environmental Protection Agency Health Advisory Level (HAL) for drinking water, indicating no need for concern,” the letter states.
“We are committed to students’ health and safety, and as an extra layer of (caution), we will install filters on the school’s drinking water wells to remove any remaining presence of the chemical.
Several state, local, and federal agencies are involved in the design and approval of this additional safety measure.” The letter states that if parents have any other concerns they should contact the Florida Department of Health in Marion County at 629-0137.
The district is also planning to install a filtering system at Reddick-Collier Elementary School wells.
Joe Callahan can be reached at 867-4113 or at joe.callahan@starbanner.com.
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