is representing an undisclosed number of households in the Millsboro area after Mountaire officials revealed that at their poultry processing plant there, its wastewater treatment system had failed to properly remove nitrogen, fecal coliform concentrations, biochemical oxygen demand (BODs) and total suspended solids (TSS), spraying the untreated water across fields and potentially into water sources for the area.
“Jacobs & Crumplar has been involved in occupational and environmental [law] since 1981, so I would say, in a general sense, we have specialized in asbestos and very heavily in sexual abuse claims, and most recently in civil rights,” Warner said.
Mountaire ships drinking water After Mountaire was cited for high nitrate levels on-site, the State began testing nearby private wells for contamination.
As that number increases, Mountaire is now following DNREC’s recommendation of providing bottled water to affected residences.
“Mountaire also agreed to provide bottled water and possibly other water treatment to other areas of concern surrounding the plant that have the potential to be impacted by nitrate contamination,” DNREC announced.
The results of these tests do not indicate that bacteriological contamination from Mountaire is a concern in the wells tested.” Nearby, inside Millsboro town limits, the municipality has not seen any elevated nitrate levels during their weekly tests.
“The Division of Public Health recommends using either bottled water, or water that has been treated to remove nitrates, for drinking, cooking, preparation of formula and other consumption.
Although the EPA doesn’t regulate private wells, DNREC does oversee construction of them, and the Office of Drinking Water can provide support, such as helping DNREC with recent sampling, or being a public resource for information and advice.
Public water systems, such as the one operated by the Town of Millsboro, are tested and treated weekly, but private wells are the owners’ responsibility.
In general, people can test private wells with kits that can be obtained for $4 from the Thurman Adams State Service Center at 546 S. Bedford Street, Georgetown, or residents can call the Division of Public Health at (302) 856-5241.