Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME), Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to address per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in private wells. The Technical Fix for the State Response to Contaminants Program bill would ensure that states have the flexibility to use $5 billion provided in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for PFAS and other emerging contaminants in small and disadvantaged communities to assist private well owners.
“PFAS and other harmful contaminants have been discovered in private water systems in Maine and across the country, and contamination will only become more evident as testing becomes more readily available,” said Senator Collins. “It is crucial that the funding we provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law be executed with the appropriate flexibility not only to support public water systems but also to help address contamination for those who rely on private wells. 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.”
Congress intended Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for small and disadvantaged communities to be available for states to address private well contamination. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initially interpreted the statute as only allowing for assistance to private wells if the purpose of the activity was to consider connecting private wells to public water systems. The Technical Fix for the State Response to Contaminants Program bill would permanently clarify that states may use these funds to provide direct assistance to address contamination in private wells, ensuring that states can respond more effectively to local needs and protect the health of residents who rely on private wells for their drinking water.
As lead negotiators of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Senators Collins and Shaheen secured the $10 billion to specifically address PFAS and other emerging contaminants, $5 billion of which is targeted to small and disadvantaged communities.
In Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, Senator Collins secured $17 million in federal funding to establish a PFAS Center of Excellence at the New England Plant, Soil and Water Research Laboratory through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service. This builds on $8 million that Senator Collins had previously secured in FY23 through Congressionally Directed Spending for the University of Maine to address PFAS contamination through research, monitoring, and mitigation efforts.
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