Elevated PFAs detection sparks letters to Salisbury homeowners near Perdue’s AgriBusiness facility
SALISBURY – About 550 residents in Salisbury can expect to see letters from Perdue in their mailboxes this week.
Perdue Notifies Homeowners of Elevated PFAs Levels in Groundwater
Perdue is in the process of informing residents within a half-mile radius of its Agribusiness facility on Zion Church Road about detected elevated levels of PFAs, commonly known as “forever chemicals”, in the groundwater.
“At this point, the source of those PFAs levels is unknown,” said Perdue Vice President of Environmental Sustainability, Drew Getty. “So, we are reaching out to the community to request additional information.”
The letters are accompanied by surveys, which can be filled out on paper or online.
“We’re asking them to let us know if they have a well on their property and if we have permission to test their well,” Getty said. “If they give us permission, then we will come out with a third-party consultant who will test the well at no cost to the homeowner.”
A Statewide Effort
This comes as part of a statewide effort by the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) to identify where PFAs may be of the most concern.
“Having this data across the state, and in particular, this location helps us better manage and understand the risk to residents, and then mitigate that risk,” said Lee Currey, Director of MDE’s Water and Science Administration.
The work started with public water systems. Researchers then moved onto testing fish found in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, and wastewater treatment plants. The plant at Perdue’s Agribusiness facility was one of them.
“When we sampled the plant, the results indicated elevated levels of PFAs,” said Currey. “Additional monitoring wells were drilled to determine if PFAs had the potential to migrate off the site. The most recent results were from those new wells that were drilled. Those levels were elevated above the federal drinking water standard.”
Currey says several different compounds were identified at elevated levels on site.
“There were two compounds, in particular, that were both elevated,” said Currey. “Both of those compounds are included in the federal drinking water standard that was just put into place earlier this year.”
How the Process May Play Out
MDE will provide oversight as Perdue works with contractors and homeowners to gather data.
Once homeowners are notified and provide initial responses, Currey says additional samples will be taken. Those results will be tested in a lab, which Currey says could take up to two weeks. With those results, officials will determine whether additional testing is needed.
Remediation efforts may be possible, however Currey says the exact steps will depend on test results.
“There are treatment systems that can be installed either at the end of an outlet, or at the entrance to a home,” Currey said. “There are also other options for connecting to public water systems, and there are also techniques that can be used to remediate groundwater.”
“We value our relationship with the community,” Says Perdue CEO
Kevin McAdams, CEO of Perdue, says the company wants to remain good neighbors, and stewards of the land that they work on. For that reason, he added, the community’s participation in this process will be vitally important.
“We need to collect the data points so that we can understand if there is a deeper issue. We need that testing data back,” McAdams said. “Perdue Farms has been a member of the Salisbury community for over 100 years. We value our relationship with the community.”
McAdams says Perdue will continue to work closely with both MDE and the Wicomico County Health Department in this process. Company officials added that once they know more about the levels, they will stay transparent in sharing that information. The next steps will be determined at that point, as well.
