Kelly, Shaheen, Collins, King, Heinrich Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Address PFAS Contamination in Private Wells
Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), 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 Programwould 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.
“In Arizona, many families rely on their own wells for their drinking water, and they deserve to know that water is safe and free of dangerous PFAS contamination,” said Kelly. “This fix will give states the flexibility to use existing federal funding to address contamination in private wells, helping make sure families in small and rural communities have access to clean, safe water.”
“Nearly half of all Granite Staters get their water supply at home from private wells—they shouldn’t have to worry that the water they’re drinking is unsafe,” said Shaheen. “Our bipartisan legislation would ensure that assistance from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help communities address toxic PFAS is available to all Granite Staters, regardless of where their drinking water comes from.”
“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 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.”
“Every Maine community and household deserves access to clean drinking water that is free of harsh or toxic chemicals like PFAS,” said King. “The bipartisan Technical Fix for the States Response to Contaminations Program is responsible legislation that will allow states more flexibility when it comes to mitigating PFAS contamination and provide assistance to those communities that rely on private wells. I want to thank my colleagues for taking this bipartisan step forward to protecting our drinking water and shared public health.”
“Safe water is essential to the health and well-being of New Mexicans,” said Heinrich. “That’s why I’m proud to cosponsor legislation that will protect rural communities from dangerous forever chemicals by ensuring states can use funding to access new technology that detects and gets rid of water contaminants in private wells. Everyone deserves clean and safe drinking water.”
Kelly’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided 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. In the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding legislation, secured language to temporarily address this issue for that year’s funding. The Technical Fix for the State Response to Contaminants Program would be a permanent fix.
