Worried about PFAS in your drinking water? Legislators advance plan to test and treat wells

With growing concern about the prevalence of forever chemicals in Mainers’ drinking water, a proposal to fund the testing and clean-up of affected private wells is headed to a vote in the Maine Legislature. 

Last week, lawmakers on the Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted 9-4 to advance LD 2115, which would establish the Well Contamination Response Fund for private drinking water wells impacted by hazardous materials, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS. 

With an initial investment of $1 million from the state’s general fund, the fund would be used for testing, remediation, and the installation and maintenance of filter treatment systems.

“This fund is a key step in protecting and restoring public health and peace of mind in every corner of the state,” said bill sponsor Rep. Dan Ankeles (D-Brunswick). 

The proposal is among a slate of bills introduced by Ankeles and others after 1,500 gallons of the PFAS-laden firefighting foam concentrate was discharged in a Brunswick airplane hangar in August 2023.

But the issue of possible private well contamination extends far beyond that spill. Households located near places of historic usage of products or byproducts with high levels of PFAS, such as current and former military bases, firefighting training sites, and farms that use sewage sludge as fertilizer have long faced that threat. Exposure to PFAS chemicals are associated with lower birth weights, reduced effectiveness of vaccines, bone irregularities, higher cholesterol and multiple types of cancer. 

Maine has the highest percentage of private well users in the nation, with over 38% of the population using a domestic well, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The legislation would build off several new laws passed last session, including one that codified programs that support affected farms to ensure the assistance for farmers and remediation can continue. Another helps mitigate forever chemicals from landfill leachate entering groundwater and surface waters. Also, a new law initially held by Gov. Janet Mills establishes a voluntary, statewide takeback program for firefighting foam containing PFAS.

Two additional bills to expand well testing passed with initial votes but were carried over to the current session.

Ankeles’ well fund will advance to the Senate and House of Representatives for final votes in the coming weeks.