So-called “forever chemicals” have been making their way into people’s drinking water over the decades. Drinking water utilities in our region are now scrambling to clean up the contamination. Existing state regulations are relatively new, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released new standards. NBC10 investigators traveled throughout the tri-state region, looking at how cities and schools are dealing with PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” contamination. We found that residents are trying to find their own ways to keep the pollution out of their drinking water — while their cities and water utilities struggle to meet their own states’ standards and time is running out for the new federal standards.

What are PFAS?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known simply as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” are man-made chemicals that have been used to make firefighting foam, nonstick cookware, and stain-resistant materials. They do not break down easily in the environment, hence the term “forever.”

According to the EPA, exposure to PFAS can lead to reduced fertility, weakened immunity, increased cancer risk and developmental delays in children.

The EPA announced earlier this year that all water systems across the country would have to be tested for PFAS by 2027. The agency requires water utilities to meet new standards for five types of persistent chemicals by 2029. The new limits are 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS and 10 parts per trillion for PFNA, PFHxS and HFPO-DA.

How much is one part per trillion?

One part per trillion is equivalent to one drop in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The following stories about “forever chemicals” will air this week on NBC10:

“Chemicals Forever” in Emmaus, Pennsylvania

The sleepy town of Emmaus, Pennsylvania, woke up one fall day in 2021 to find that the level of chemicals in its water was ten times the limit recommended by the federal government at the time. The town government immediately took action and shut down the most polluted well. But the second contaminated well had to be left open because of concerns about whether the town’s water supply would be sufficient. A plan to buy a filter to remove the contaminants was put on hold when the state intervened. Three years later, the town is still grappling with the problem of chemical contamination. A solution will be years away. We explain why—and how this could be a lesson for other towns facing this situation.

“Eternal chemicals” in Pennsylvania schools

This is the first year that Pennsylvania water systems, including schools with their own wells, are required to be tested for PFAS. First and second quarter results showed elevated levels in three school districts in our southeastern Pennsylvania region. NBC10 investigators found some parents didn’t know about the elevated levels until we informed them. And two of the districts didn’t inform parents until we started asking questions. School administrators left it to the state Department of Environmental Protection not to inform parents and staff. But should they? We talk to a child health and PFAS expert about the risk to children who drink contaminated water. Plus, what are districts doing?

“Chemicals for eternity” in New Jersey

Following news that other South Jersey towns had persistent chemical contamination of their water systems, Brooklawn leaders tried to get ahead of that eventual contamination. They applied for and received a $1 million grant to purchase a filtration system that would remove PFAS. When their PFAS level exceeded New Jersey’s standard in late 2022, Brooklawn officials assured residents everything was under control and the matter would be resolved by early 2023. But that didn’t happen. Brooklawn residents are trying to filter out the persistent chemical themselves with makeshift multi-stage filters. In the meantime, contamination levels rose and the township opened an untested well, which could have made the problem worse. But New Jersey officials say that’s how it’s supposed to work.

“Chemicals for eternity” in Delaware

New Castle County’s water systems have been known to be contaminated with PFAS since 2014, when tests found incredibly high levels. The region’s two main water systems installed filters to remove the PFAS from the water before it entered people’s homes. But NBC10 investigators found the filters didn’t remove all of the chemicals. Some of the so-called “breakthrough” levels were above levels already required in some states and well above newly announced federal limits that will take effect in 2029. When we asked the state drinking water agency questions about the levels, the test results were removed from its website. We met with the water utility responsible for the water plants in question, who offered an explanation that may be helpful to others looking to get involved in filtering.

The future of PFAS removal

Because Delaware has been battling persistent chemical pollution for a decade, a lot of work is going into researching better ways to combat PFAS. NBC10 investigators toured one of New Castle’s water plants with a filter to see what operators have learned there — and why they want to switch to a hybrid filter model. An engineer at one of the largest carbon filter manufacturers shows us the mini-lab he runs to determine the best filter systems. But the director of the University of Delaware’s Water Resource Center points out how expensive it will be for communities to maintain PFAS treatment. After all, these are persistent chemicals. He believes he has a better solution.