The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has determined that more homes near the Mountaire chicken processing plant near Millsboro should receive bottled water.
DNREC working with the Delaware Division of Public Health to sample water from wells at residences in the vicinity of the processing plant.
The wastewater treatment system of the plant was recently cited by DNREC for wastewater violations involving excessive levels of nitrates. Water in several recently-sampled wells was found to contain nitrates in exceedance of the national drinking water standard of 10 milligrams per liter.
Mountaire at DNREC’s recommendation today began providing bottled water to “several” 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 affected by nitrate contamination. A number of residences nearer the plant already are receiving bottled water from the company.
DNREC also is continuing to work with the Division of Public Health’s Office of Drinking Water to expand sampling of private wells.
Mountaire fired and replaced the staff at its waste treatment plant and announced plans for temporary and permanent fixes. (See story below).
Mountaire fires wastewater workers, announces plans for upgrades at Millsboro site
