Juana Valle, a 52-year-old farm owner in San Juan Bautista, California, found herself unable to drink her well water due to the presence of PFAS chemicals, with arsenic also present. This contamination is suspected to have come from nearby agricultural operations. Agricultural communities in rural areas are facing unexpected contamination issues, with PFAS being found in well water far from industrial sites. Researchers worry that farmworkers and communities of color may be disproportionately affected by this contamination.
Concerns about PFAS contamination through the spreading of sewage treatment byproducts on farm fields have been raised, leading to changes in regulations in some states, including Maine. California is facing a drinking water crisis due to contamination from various sources like nitrates, heavy metals, and pesticides, with PFAS being detected in public water supplies in cities such as Fresno and Manteca.
Private wells, like Valle’s, are particularly vulnerable to contamination from agricultural operations and underground sources. Regulations in California do not currently address the issue of PFAS in solid waste generated by sewage treatment plants, despite efforts to reduce emissions and repurpose wastewater treatment byproducts as fertilizer.
More testing is needed to determine the extent of PFAS contamination in California, with concerns about the long-term effects on public health and the environment. Officials are working to address the issue, but solutions are complex and costly. Environmental justice concerns have been raised due to the potential impact on disadvantaged communities.
Source
Photo credit www.masslive.com
