Who’s Paying for PFAS?

Who’s Paying for PFAS?

PFAS contamination in drinking water is a big problem popping up all over the country. It's not just about health worries anymore; it's hitting people's wallets too. Water systems are shelling out loads of cash to get these chemicals out of our water, and this cost is starting to show up in our utility bills. Big companies like 3M and DuPont have been roped into paying billions in settlements, but that hasn't stopped some towns from increasing their water rates big time. In places like Hawthorne, N.J., and Wellesley, Mass., folks are seeing their water bills jump by up to 50%. People are feeling the pinch and think the companies who caused the mess should foot the bill. Despite the big settlements, there's still a lot of worry about whether there'll be enough money to cover all the cleanup costs, with some estimates going into the billions. It's a tough situation, with some water systems taking the settlement money while others are fighting it out in court.

Well Water Treatment 101

American Clear Water LLC. drops Well Water Treatment 101, a comprehensive guide for homeowners dealing with well water. This article covers the basics of well water, key components for treatment, common issues and solutions, the role that testing and maintenance plays, and a shameless plug to use American Clear Water for PA-based solutions. It talks about the important steps in treating your well water, like filtering out stuff, softening it to prevent scale buildup, and purifying it to keep it safe from harmful things like bacteria or chemicals. One of the big takeaways is somewhat obvious to seasoned vets— regularly test and maintain your water system to keep it running smoothly.

How to Test Water Quality at Home

Central Florida Water Treatment provides a guide on different methods to test water quality at home, each with its own advantages and limitations:

• Test Strips and Kits

  • What It Is: A quick and simple method using strips that change color when dipped in water.

  • Pros: Super easy to use; great for a speedy check of basic water conditions like pH and chlorine.

  • Cons: Not very detailed; can miss certain contaminants and aren't as accurate as other methods.

• Lab Testing

  • What It Is: Sending your water sample to a professional lab for a thorough examination.

  • Pros: Highly detailed and accurate; can detect a wide range of contaminants, from bacteria to heavy metals.

  • Cons: Takes longer to get results and is more expensive than at-home testing methods.

• DIY Testing Equipment

  • What It Is: Using handheld devices or digital testers to measure water quality parameters at home.

  • Pros: More info than test strips, fairly easy to use, and allows for regular monitoring.

  • Cons: Not as comprehensive as lab tests; requires some understanding of how to use the equipment properly.

Cali Approves Wastewater-to-Drinking-Water Move

Guess what? California's lawmakers actually agreed on something! On December 19th, Cali made a big move in water management. The State Water Resources Control Board gave the green light to a new rule that lets water systems turn wastewater into drinking water quickly. This is a game-changer for dealing with drought and saving energy and means a lot for places facing water shortages, especially in the western states. California is now the second state, after Colorado, to allow this kind of water recycling. Colorado passed similar rules earlier but hasn't started using them yet. Josh Mahan from Xylem points out that this approach can help many states, reducing the need to move water over long distances and take it from rivers or underground.

What else is happening:

• BET jumps on the mythbusters bandwagon with Water Treatment Myths Debunked (similar to recent articles from SpringWell and Aquanology)

• Aqua Science, a Pentair water treatment company based out of Arizona, highlights the pros of carbon filtration

• Michigan-based American Aqua promotes the Hague WaterMax as the best water softener system

• University of Maryland launches a water treatment study— anyone over the age of 18 who rents or owns a home in Maryland is eligible to participate

• SpringWell releases 10 Possible Sources of Groundwater Contamination