In October, as part of routine water quality monitoring, water within the Penn State water system was found to contain levels of ethylene dibromide (EDB) above State drinking water standards. Upon receipt of the test results, the University took action to isolate the source well and use alternate wells for the drinking water supply. The level of EDB found in the original sample was 0.13 parts per billion. A follow-up confirmation sample was non-detect. The state drinking water standard for EDB is 0.05 parts per billion.
There is no immediate risk. Penn State officials have been working with the Department of Environmental Protection to investigate the source of the EDB and determine the best way to treat the well water to remove the EDB.
For more information, contact Paul Ruskin at (814) 863-9620 or Vicki Fong at (814) 865-9481.