Read the full article by Briana Heaney (CPR News)
“La Junta is receiving $29.15 million that will go toward upgrading water infrastructure to filter out PFAS, or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, in wastewater. These substances are known as ‘forever chemicals’ due to their longevity in the environment.
They come from anything ranging from firefighting foam to non-stick cookware. The investment will also help bring the town in line with new federal regulations, set to take effect in 2027.
The award, distributed over three years, represents approximately two-thirds of the total federal funding the state received to distribute.
Tom Seaba is the town’s director of water. He said part of what drove this level of investment is the contaminants that flow into La Junta from the bigger cities north of the town of 7,000.”…