DEP Lead In Crystal Spring Water Vending Machine Exceeds Safe Levels

ADAMSTOWN, PA -- Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection has notified the public about a violation of the lead standard applicable to drinking water sold by Crystal Spring Water, a company that sells water through vending machines in Adamstown, Berks County, near the Lancaster County line. The notice does not apply to Crystal Spring Bottled Water, a separate company.

A routine test sample collected by the water company owner in September had a lead level of 16 parts per billion, which is above the maximum contaminant level of five parts per billion. According to the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Crystal Spring owner should have notified DEP within 24 hours of receiving this test result and should have notified customers within 30 days. Neither notification was given, according to DEP.

"If a public water supplier fails to give proper notice, DEP may perform this notification on its behalf," said DEP south-central regional director Lynn Langer. "Although this incident was not an emergency, customers have a right to know what happened regarding the elevated lead level."

On Mar. 8, the DEP ordered Crystal Spring owner Lynn Rannels to take, and report to the department, two additional water samples before reopening his facility. Signs at Crystal Spring indicate the facility will be open weekends only beginning Mar. 19. In a Notice of Violation issued Feb. 19, DEP asked Rannels to post a lead exceedance notice on his vending machines, and take and report the results of the two additional water samples. Rannels did not comply, according to the DEP.

Click here for a copy of DEP's public notice.