'Not a finish line': For water providers, new PFAS rule is first step

COUPEVILLE — Two years ago, Harrington Lagoon became one of the first communities in Island or Snohomish counties to report high levels of so-called “forever chemicals” in its drinking water.

One of the chemical compounds at the site exceeded Washington’s standards by over five times.

Since then, it appears not much has been done to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in the small Whidbey Island community, said John Lovie, the former director of the Whidbey Island Water Systems Association. Ecology staff need to do more testing and investigating, according to a page on the agency’s website. The state agency also hasn’t determined the source. But locals suspect an old Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue station, as highlighted in previous reporting by The Daily Herald.

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Under a new rule released earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave water providers a deadline to address contamination: By 2029, water systems need to start reducing PFAS levels below 4 and 10 parts per trillion, depending on the exact compound.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/not-a-finish-line-for-water-providers-new-pfas-rule-is-first-step/