A new study by the US Geological Survey (USGS) has revealed widespread contamination of private and public drinking water wells by toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” across the eastern United States. The research, published in Environmental Science and Technology, detected PFAS in 20% of private wells and 60% of public wells sampled across 16 states, highlighting a significant gap in monitoring and regulation.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of over 9,000 compounds used in everyday products like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and stain guards. They are linked to cancer, liver disease, thyroid issues, and other serious health problems. Because they do not break down naturally, they accumulate in the environment and often contaminate drinking water sources.
The study found higher contamination levels near urban areas, airports, military bases, and landfills. Wells drawing from shallow, modern aquifers were more affected, while deeper, older aquifers showed lower PFAS levels. For example, wells near Memphis, Tennessee, were largely clean due to deep aquifers, whereas nearly all shallow wells in the Ohio Valley and New England contained PFAS.
Scott Faber of the Environmental Working Group called the findings “alarm bells” for private well users, noting that one in five could be drinking contaminated water. The USGS sampled 254 wells across five major aquifers from Maine to Florida, detecting 14 of 24 PFAS types tested. One public well in West Virginia recorded levels of 1,500 parts per trillion (ppt), far exceeding the EPA’s health advisory limit of 70 ppt.
Despite decades of known health risks, the EPA has yet to set enforceable limits on PFAS in drinking water. A proposed rule to limit two types of PFAS by 2023 still leaves thousands unregulated. Private wells remain largely unmonitored, with no comprehensive testing system and filters often ineffective against PFAS.
