US EditionFirms ordered to reduce forever chemicals in drinking water for 6m people: Report
Enforcement notices require water companies to address PFAS contamination affecting over six million people, with 1.7 million tests conducted since 2021, regulator says.
- Water companies have been ordered to tackle potentially harmful levels of forever chemicals in drinking water sources affecting more than six million people, the BBC found.
- Health assessments identify certain PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS, as carrying elevated health risks, and earlier this year the World Health Organization raised significant concerns about these two compounds.
- BBC analysis of 2024 tests found breaches in over 2,000 results, with 9,432 readings above the 0.01ug/L DWI threshold and PFOS and PFOA detected in more than 350 flagged samples.
- Sanctions can take several years to remove and require extended monitoring, the DWI said water quality remains safe because sanctions force companies to increase testing or strengthen treatment, and an independent July review recommended stricter treatment while the government prepares a white paper.
- The Environment Agency and experts warn removal is technically challenging, while the Royal Society of Chemistry says UK limits are 2.5 times higher than US standards and Water UK calls for manufacturer-funded PFAS bans.
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6 Articles
Firms ordered to reduce forever chemicals in drinking water for 6m people | Tech, Entertainment, Sport, Fashion, Travel News
Esme Stallard,Climate and science reporter, BBC News and Becky Dale and Wesley Stephenson,Senior data journalists, BBC Verify Getty Images Water companies have been ordered to tackle potentially harmful levels of so-called forever chemicals in drinking water sources for more than six million people, the BBC can reveal. Forever chemicals, or PFAS, are a group of thousands of substances used in everyday products. They are persistent pollutants w…
The Rivers Trust calls for a ban on forever chemicals following media reports on PFAS levels - Water Magazine
The Rivers Trust has called for a ban on forever chemicals following media coverage on PFAS levels in the UK’s water network. An investigation by the BBC examined 23 enforcement notices issued by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) over elevated PFAS levels that could “constitute a potential danger to human health.” Analysis of the notices shows that 1.7 million tests have been carried out over the past four years, with over 9,400 samples exce…
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