The Department of Environmental Protection Friday released its own results from a water sample taken March 8 at Crystal Spring Water, a company that sells well water through vending machines in Adamstown, Berks County.
The Department’s testing indicated a lead level of 1.8 parts per billion, within the acceptable maximum contaminant level of 5 ppb.
A routine test sample collected by Crystal Spring owner Lynn Rannels in September 2015 contained a lead level of 16 ppb.
According to the Safe Drinking Water Act, DEP should have been notified DEP within 24 hours of receiving this test result and customers should have been notified within 30 days. Neither notification was given.
“There is no question that the initial water sample taken from the facility contained an elevated lead level,” said Lynn Langer, DEP Southcentral regional director. “DEP has verified the results of that initial test with the lab M. J. Reider Associates, Inc., which was chosen by the owner.”
“Crystal Spring has a permit to operate as a public water supply, and is bound by the same regulations by which all similar water supplies operate,” said Langer. “DEP took the proactive step of taking its own sample to protect the health and safety of the consumer.”
There are a total of 12 regulated vended public water supplies in Berks, Lancaster and Lebanon counties. There are no monitoring compliance issues at the other 11 locations.
A Notice of Violation was issued on February 19, asking Crystal Spring to take and submit to the department additional samples. On March 8, DEP issued an Order to Crystal Spring which required additional samples and results reported to DEP.
Certified lab results are considered valid until the next set of results are obtained. Crystal Springs will still be required to take quarterly samples for the next year to ensure the water is below actionable lead levels.
Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the standard could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. Customers with specific health concerns should speak with their doctors.
For more information on lead in water supplies, visit DEP’s Lead In Drinking Water webpage.
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