PFAS has been brought up, in relation to Hartford’s water system.

Utility Director Brian Rhodes, of Hartford Utilities talked with WTKM.

"It's becoming a concern for our water utility. PFAS refers to per and polyfluorinated substances, it's a large family of over twelve thousand man-made chemicals. It resists heat, oil, stains and used for water proofing, food packaging and nonstick cookware. The problem with PFAS chemicals is that they do not break down naturally in the environment or the human body which is why they are called the forever chemicals."    

The City of Hartford is in a good position now with PFAS.

Hartford has five wells in their system.

Rhodes says that the EPA has made a change. 

"The EPA proposed amendments to its drinking water standards for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, or PFAS. The EPA changed and lowered the level from seventy parts per trillion to four parts per trillion enforceable limit or  Maximum Contaminant Level. That's a pretty big impact for us. Because of that, we will have to do some treatment and remove it from our system."  

Hartford’s levels remain low. Rhodes says that having the PFAS removed from their system, which is something they need to do, is costly. It’s projected to be a $20 million project to remove it from two different wells.

They continue to look into state funded or federally funded money to help with the program.