Aquarion Water Company announced the launch of the company’s 2023 Connecticut per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) testing program on March 14. Done annually, this program is scheduled to begin in April. Aquarion will undertake a campaign to test the company’s 70+ Connecticut public water systems for PFAS.
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been widely used in various industrial and consumer products. Because they do not break down easily in the environment and can persist for decades, PFAS are considered “forever chemicals” and can pose a significant threat to human health. One of the most concerning ways that people can be exposed to PFAS is through drinking water. PFAS enter drinking water sources through a number of avenues, including industrial discharges, common household items, food packaging, septic systems, and the use of firefighting foam.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that more than $18 million from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be allocated to Connecticut to help address emerging contaminants, such as PFAS, in drinking water, and Aquarion will be pursuing such funding.
Sampling results from 2023 will be added to the company’s site once the updated data is available.