Read the full article by AnnMarie Hilton (Maine Morning Star)
“U.S. Senators Susan Collins, a Republican, and Angus King, an independent, joined two of their Democratic colleagues on new legislation to address contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, in private wells — which deliver drinking water to more than half of all Mainers.
The bill would amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure that states have the flexibility to use federal funding to help private well owners test for toxins like PFAS, often referred to as forever chemicals, from their drinking water. Those dollars are part of the $5 billion provided in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, according to a news release from Collins and King.
‘With more than half of Maine residents getting their drinking water from private wells, and an estimated 23 million people or more nationwide relying on residential wells, it is important that the historic investments in safe drinking water help all families,’ Collins said in the release.
Collins and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), who was also a lead sponsor of the bill, both served as lead negotiators on the infrastructure package, which included $10 billion to specifically address PFAS and other emerging contaminants. Half of that is designed to target small and disadvantaged communities.” …