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State lifts water order for Paden City Water Works

CHARLESTON — A do not consume order for customers of the Paden City Water Works was lifted on Tuesday by the Bureau of Public Health in West Virginia.

The bureau, under the Department of Health and Human Resources, issued the order in August when water tested above the allowable limits for tetrachloroethylene (PCE).

The order was lifted on Tuesday after three consecutive test samples by a certified lab showed negative detectable levels of PCE in the water supply, the department said .

Water Works in a customer notice also announced the lifting of the order on its social media pages, telling customers a mechanical failure was corrected and the system has been thoroughly flushed.

“It is important to flush the linees in your home prior to consuming…” Water Works said in the post.

The city also has ordered spare electrical parts and is studying other options to establish an emergency response plan in the event of another failure, Water Works said.

“DHHR’s Bureau for Public Health was pleased to support Paden City and its residents through this issue in coordination with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the West Virginia Division of Emergency Management, and county and city officials,” said Dr. Sherri A. Young, interim DHHR cabinet secretary and incoming secretary of the Department of Health.

“The health of residents in Paden City has been a priority for the entire Justice Administration, and we are pleased that the do not consume notice could be lifted,” she said.

An administrative order from the Bureau for Public Health was issued to Paden City on Aug. 19 to further clarify actions necessary to address the public health issues related to the contaminant. The administrative order was amended to include additional items to ensure that the treatment is effectively functioning on Aug. 26.

Tetrachloroethylene is a solvent commonly used in the dry cleaning industry.

Several rounds of sampling were conducted by Paden City and EPA. DHHR coordinated the delivery of testing supplies to Paden City on Aug. 24 for additional water sampling.

State resources also were made available to help provide alternative sources of drinking water and support distribution needs.

The elevated levels of PCE were a result of a mechanical failure in a bypass valve, which has been corrected. The system has been thoroughly flushed and multiple samples have been collected at the plant and in the distribution system to verify the level of PCE is below the maximum contaminant level.

Although PCE levels are below the MCL, local customers will receive additional instructions from Paden City Water Works to flush their lines prior to using or consuming the water to remove residual PCE. Those with specific health concerns are advised to consult with a primary care physician or use an alternate source of drinking water.

Paden City Water Works will continue to flush as needed while also collecting weekly samples until the Bureau for Public Health is confident that levels of PCE remain below the MCL. To stay updated, customers can reach out to Paden City Hall at 304 337-8581 to sign up for the local CodeRed notification system.

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