EPA issues final rules for limiting “forever chemicals” in water supplies

For two chemicals, any presence in water supplies is too much.

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[deltaproximus]

In my local area, the Air Force Base nearby was the source of PFAS contamination, and they've done a decent job recently of providing free testing for homes that use Wells in the area. In a lot of cases where contamination was found, they air force footed the bill to connect homes to uncontaminated city water, or when that wasn't possible, bought homeowners bulky filtration systems to attach to their wells.

These new guidelines might spur the Air Force to take another look at the wells that initially passed review, I don't know what they considered acceptable levels at the time.

While the Air Force might have used the chemicals that contaminated the water, the companies that made the chemicals for the Air Force should have been part of the mitigation efforts, and if it turns out more homes need these mitigations after these new recommended levels are in effect, I hope those companies can be on the hook, too.

 

[deltaproximus]

I don't think that's enough mitigation. They need to remove the contamination from the ground. Not just protect or filter the water going into homes.

I don't think draining and refilling the aquifer underneath people's homes is possible without causing sinkholes or causing the ground to level to fall unevenly.

 

[deltaproximus]

I'd be curious as to what source indicated that. Wikipedia says pumping is the most common method.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundwater_remediation

Pump and treat​

Pump and treat is one of the most widely used ground water remediation technologies. In this process ground water is pumped to the surface and is coupled with either biological or chemical treatments to remove the impurities

It was just an assumption on my part, honestly, but if it's feasible then yes, I agree treating ground water to remove the chemicals is ideal.