On April 10 the Environmental Protection Agency unveiled new regulations to tackle drinking water contamination from the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. To get these toxic chemicals out of our drinking water, the rule establishes maximum contaminant levels, or MCLs, that set limits on six notorious PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, GenX, PFBS, PFNA and PFHxS.
MCA signed a letter with water protection advocates across the country supporting this new rule. MCA was asked to provide comment to the Environmental Working Group's press release.
Caroline Taylor, executive director, Montgomery Countryside Alliance: “Three cheers for the Biden administration making safe drinking water a priority. New standards for PFAS exposure coupled with necessary funding for local testing and treatment are a significant step forward in our collective goal to protect human lives.”
MCA signed a letter with water protection advocates across the country supporting this new rule. MCA was asked to provide comment to the Environmental Working Group's press release.
Caroline Taylor, executive director, Montgomery Countryside Alliance: “Three cheers for the Biden administration making safe drinking water a priority. New standards for PFAS exposure coupled with necessary funding for local testing and treatment are a significant step forward in our collective goal to protect human lives.”
In early 2023, PFAS contamination caused the closure of two wells in Poolesville. MCA and partners have called for a prohibition on fertilizers that contain high levels of PFAS that are currently used on local farms.
Now that PFAS will be regulated - it's time to find out where remediation needs to occur. USA Today's Map shows Poolesville highly elevated PFAS in 17 out of 40 tests completed this year.
More news on the remediation front. Maryland HB1153 passed and is headed to the Governor, requiring MDE to develop and implement monitoring of the water supply and implement mitigation efforts by late next year.
How can you limit PFAS in your own water supply?
