Richard 0. Brajer Mercury} Health and Randall Williams, lvl.lJ. Hu man Services .?iru rum-n tw- ist-uh? J's-mu Muir Hui-it'll rim-r am March I t. 2016 Dear Well Owner, We have withdrawn the ?do not drink" usage recommendation because we have determined your water is as safe to drink as water in most cities and towns across the state and country. It is appropriate to return to drinking and using your water for cooking, bathing and other household uses. We updated our recommendation after extensive study of how other cities, states and the federal government manage the elements {hertavalent chromium and vanadium) in drinking water. Based on this review, as well as our own independent assessments, we have HOW concluded the water out of your well is as safe as the majority of public water systems in the country. All public water systerm are required to meet or exceed federal standards for safe drinking water. The initial ?do not drink" advisory was a very cautious recommendation. In fact, the recommendation regarding one of the elements is based on a potential one in a million cancer risk for an average person consuming well water every day for more than 70 years. Now that we have had time to study and roview more data, we have concluded that it is appropriate to return to drinking and using your water for cooking and other uses. l(Slur mission at the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Environmental Quality is to protect the health and safety of all North Carolinisns. As always, we are here to serve and assist you. During the neat several weeks, we will issue new forms that re?ect this updated usage recommendation. If you have questions about your well water. ntease call or. at