HALLOWELL, Maine — The Hallowell Water District plans to build a new water treatment facility after testing showed levels of PFAS chemicals below the state's standards but well above new federal regulations.
The facility, which will eliminate forever chemicals from public water, will not come online until 2027. Meanwhile, customers are getting clean water from a new source.
Around 20 customers come to the Hallowell Water District daily to fill up with PFAS-free water from this spigot on Winthrop Street.
"It's kind of a new system we had to get approved from Maine's drinking water program," Zach Lovely, the superintendent of the Hallowell School District, said.
The fixture came online earlier this year after testing in 2022 showed levels of PFAS chemicals in the drinking water supply.
The levels were below Maine's standard of 20 parts per trillion for the sum of six compounds, but they were above new federal limits of 4 parts per trillion for two different chemicals, PFOA and PFOS. Those federal limits are set to go into effect in 2029.
"It allows them to get PFAS-free water while we work through the process," Lovely explained.
That process involves building a $10 million water treatment facility on the site of the district's wells along the Kennebec River. The source of the contamination comes from the river, which partially replenishes an aquifer the city uses for public water. The plant will utilize a system to reduce the compounds to meet the new EPA limits.
"A new standard has come out, and we are trying to stay ahead of it as best as possible," Lovely added. "It takes time to build and get these treatment plants up to snuff."
The water district supports more than 900 customers, including John Holt and his family.
Holt runs a flower shop in the city's downtown area with his wife, Aurilla, and daughter, Jessica. He still uses public water.
"I usually use it to cook with," he said. "I don't know if that gets it out, but I mostly drink bottled water."
Earlier this summer, city council members approved funding to deliver PFAS-free water to customers in 5-gallon jugs. Those funds were later eliminated because of budget cuts, though, and the district didn't want to take on the liability of delivering water with limited staff.
Holt said he believes clean water needs to be more accessible.
"I think with the elderly they should deliver the water," he argued. "It's heavy if you are filling 5-gallon jugs."
The PFAS-free water spigot will be available to customers until the new plant comes online in late 2027.