SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Concerns over the safety of the drinking water in Seminole County is prompting local leaders to take action.
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In March, Sanford applied for a grant to buy water filtration equipment. The plan was to keep a forever chemical out of the drinking water after workers found it in some of the city’s wells.
Sanford officials said the forever chemical is at a safe level in the water and has been for years. The city said it knows the source, but is still trying to determine the exact cause of the leak.
However, the county and city are taking new steps to reassure residents the water is safe.
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“Soon after the discovery of this chemical in our water, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection gave us guidelines that point three, five parts per billion would be a safe level to have in the water, and it would still be safe to drink,” Sanford Mayor Art Woodruff said, adding that the city has been able to keep that level even lower.
Woodruff stresses that the water is safe to drink.
“Soon after the discovery of this chemical in our water, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection gave us guidelines that point three, five parts per billion would be a safe level to have in the water, and it would still be safe to drink.
Lake Mary also dealt with the forever chemical in 2005 after the EPA determined the old Siemens plant was the source in its water supply.
The city installed a multimillion-dollar water filtration system two years ago as a result of a settlement.
After a stream of resident concerns about the safety of the water following news reports, Seminole County has committed to paying for consultants and more testing of the water, with commissioners committing to making water quality a top priority.
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Other municipalities are also testing the water for 1,4 dioxane. The city of Oviedo recently tested for it and it wasn’t found. Altamonte Springs also reported negative results.
Winter Springs and Longwood are also testing the water and awaiting results.
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