PFAS may be contaminating drinking water for up to 70% of about 140 million people in the US who draw water from the nation’s aquifers via private or public wells, a new federal government study estimates. The findings show a potential impact on about 95 million people, or 27% of the nation’s population. The US Geological Survey sampling and modeling of groundwater contamination found readings up to 37,000 times higher than the EPA’s new drinking water limits. In some regions virtually all of those using public systems that draw from groundwater may be drinking contaminated water. This is especially a problem for those who draw from private wells, or small public wells, because neither is covered by strong new PFAS limits implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency – those people represent about 13% of the US population.

Other water quality articles:

• The Hill: Extreme weather is ramping up toxic nitrate pollution in groundwater: Study
• Technology Networks: Climate-driven extreme weather linked to nitrate in drinking water
• AgNet West Radio Network: CDPR to begin reevaluation of paraquat dichloride