DNR Finds no contamination in drinking water

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MoDNR: Preliminary results show no fire-related contamination in Fredericktown drinking water

Department will continue surface water and groundwater sampling after Critical Minerals Recovery fire

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, NOV. 8, 2024 - Testing by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has determined the city of Fredericktown’s and Madison County Public Water Service District #1’s public drinking water systems show no contamination related to the fire last week at Critical Minerals Recovery, the lithium-ion battery recycling company located in the city.

MoDNR has analyzed samples taken from the city of Fredericktown’s and Madison County Public Water Supply District #1’s finished water. MoDNR analyzed samples for various chemicals considered to be drinking water contaminants. The metals portion of that testing found nothing at unsafe levels in either system’s drinking water. MoDNR continues to analyze for remaining contaminants, though it could take several days before that testing is complete. MoDNR will provide the results of that analysis when they are available.

Out of an abundance of caution, on Nov. 5, MoDNR began sampling treated water from both drinking water systems to verify they were not impacted by contaminants associated with water runoff or the smoke plume from the fire. Fredericktown’s public water system relies on surface water for its drinking water source, while Madison County PWSD #1 relies on wells.

MoDNR will continue to collect samples from both systems as part of their drinking water monitoring requirements and will provide results of the ongoing sampling to the public as they become available. The public can view additional results on MoDNR’s Drinking Water Watch website, which provides current drinking water analysis results for department-regulated public water systems.