AUGUSTA – The Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday to advance a bill to ensure the Maine Department of Environmental Protection provides Maine people with information about the most stringent drinking water standards to protect communities from exposure to unsafe levels of PFAS, known as “forever chemicals.”
Rep. Poppy Arford, D-Brunswick, submitted the bill in response to the experiences of Brunswick residents in the wake of the August 2024 discharge of 1,450 gallons of PFAS-containing firefighting foam mixed with 50,000 gallons of water.
Following the spill, the Department of Environmental Protection distributed materials highlighting the state’s interim drinking water standard for PFOS, the primary PFAS chemical discharged, at 20 parts per trillion. At the time, however, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standard was just 4 parts per trillion. Arford’s bill would require the department to share the stronger standard, regardless of whether it was set by state or federal officials, on its website and directly with private well owners who may be affected by PFAS contamination.
“No community should have to go through what Brunswick has been experiencing since last year’s toxic PFAS-laden firefighting foam spill. LD 1786 will ensure that residents who depend on private wells that may have been contaminated with PFAS will have access to the information they need to make the best decisions to protect the health and wellbeing of their families,” said Arford.
Amy Self, a Brunswick resident who discovered her well was contaminated with PFAS following the spill, told members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee that the communications she received from the Department of Environmental Protection made it seem like her well water was safe to use even though testing discovered PFAS levels more than 2.5 times the EPA standard.
“Imagine waking up each morning, only to be greeted by the unsettling truth that the water flowing from your tap—water you rely on for drinking, cooking and bathing—is contaminated. Each sip is accompanied by an agonizing fear that it might be harming you or your loved ones,” Self said. “This fear is not without merit. PFAS, commonly known as ‘forever chemicals,’ are associated with numerous health issues, including cancer, hormone disruption and immune system damage.”
“I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to provide the public with quality information they can use to protect their health and plan for the future. A clear, reliable channel of information and communication is essential in any environmental disaster,” said Rep. Dan Ankeles, D-Brunswick, a member of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and cosponsor of the bill.
“Toxic PFAS chemicals are contaminating our environment and threatening public health throughout our society, emanating from all parts of our economy, ranging from agriculture to consumer goods. Maine has been a national leader in addressing contamination from PFAS, and LD 1786 can help us take another step,” said Rep. Art Bell, D-Yarmouth, who is also a committee member and cosponsor of the bill.
The measure faces additional votes in the House and Senate.
Arford is serving her third term in the Maine House. She represents House District 101, part of Brunswick, and serves on the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Arford) | 305-965-2744