HARTFORD — Connecticut state legislators could soon move to regulate toxic compounds found in drinking water.
High levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, collectively called PFAS, have been found in drinking water wells in Greenwich, Willimantic and Enfield, the Hartford Courant reported on Sunday. There were also multiple spills of thousands of gallons of PFAS firefighting foam that entered the Farmington River last year.
Michael Turgeon, the superintendent of the Windham Water Works, said in an email, “There is a big difference between private drinking water wells and our Public Water System. Windham Water Works has sampled for PFAS and no PFAS compounds were detected in our surface water supply. The Reservoir and the Water Treatment Facility that supplies Willimantic with drinking water is located in Mansfield.”
The chemicals are used to make products water and stain resistant, including carpets, clothing, furniture and cookware. They have earned the nickname “forever chemicals” because they never fully break down.
A state task force created by Gov. Ned Lamont has issued a series of recommendations including statewide PFAS testing and pollution cleanup. A Lamont spokesman said he is also considering a series of executive orders to combat contamination.
The General Assembly is expected to discuss the issue when it convenes Wednesday.
