Read the full article by Hannah Grover (New Mexico Political Report)
“Landfills and wastewater utilities are concerned that designating PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances could have unintended consequences including legal liability for them.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works discussed Wednesday how the designation of two types of PFAS chemicals—PFOA and PFOS—as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act could impact utilities and municipalities. These are among the most utilized PFAS chemicals, though there are thousands of types of PFAS.
The Senate is considering passing legislation to help shield utilities from liability. Sen. Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon, emphasized that this would not absolve water and wastewater utilities from testing for those chemicals.
Ranking Minority Member Sen. Shelley Capito, a Republican from West Virginia, discussed what she described as passive receivers such as wastewater utilities. While they may not have been the initial source of the PFAS contamination, the PFAS chemicals can end up in wastewater systems and result in contamination downstream if not properly removed.” …