JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Edited News Release/KY3) — Missouri health leaders report elevated levels of lead in private drinking water wells in the Seymour area.
State partners, including the Missouri Departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Health and Senior Services (DHSS), are working collaboratively with the Webster County Health Unit (WCHU) to address the issue. The residents who receive a letter regarding well sampling are encouraged to complete and return the access agreement. To help determine the extent of the possible impacts, DNR will be sampling residential private drinking water wells in an approximate 2-mile radius in southeast Webster County. DNR, DHSS, and WCHU are taking this important step to ensure the health of residents with private wells in that area.
Exposure to lead is a significant health concern, particularly for children, who are most sensitive to the adverse effects of lead. There is no safe level of lead in the body. Lead builds up in the body over time; it can affect almost every organ and system in the body and can cause life-long health issues in both children and adults. Residents may be exposed to lead in contaminated drinking water, and several private wells in the area have been found to contain unsafe levels of lead. Further sampling must be conducted to protect residents with private wells.
Over the next few weeks, residences within the potentially affected area will be sent letters and sampling access agreement forms. Pending completion of the form by the homeowner, DNR representatives will arrive to collect samples beginning in early- to mid-June 2024. Once results from the sampling are available, homeowners will be provided a copy of the sampling results. The sampling and analysis of water from private wells will be completed at no cost to the homeowner.
For specific questions on the private well sampling or the investigation, please contact DNR at (573) 526-3287.
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