New Federal Laws Require Georgia Drinking Water to Be Tested and Treated for “Forever Chemicals”

ATLANTA, Georgia (First News Atlanta) – New rules regarding “forever chemicals,” or PFAS, in drinking water were released by the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday morning.

To ensure that their water supplies are below a specific level of synthetic chemicals, all water utility companies are now required to test and treat their water sources.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, or PFAS for short, have been around for many years. In addition to being included in cleaning and cosmetic goods, they are frequently utilized as heat, oil, and water repellents. According to research, the chemicals are connected to diseases like cancer, according to the EPA.

According to Horace Franks, CEO of Clayton County Water Authority, “removing these is going to require a significant process.” “We find it annoying that we have to take out stuff that we didn’t even put into the water.”

Big manufacturing firms have long been accused of contaminating lakes and rivers by discharging PFAS into them. According to Franks, those businesses ought to bear the burden of cleaning up the contamination.

SEE MORE: There Is A Last Defendant in Fraud Scheme Involving Collegiate Athletes Receives Sentence

It’s simply a duty we have, Franks explained, adding that it will take a long time and be expensive for us.

According to Franks, PFAS is already tested for by the Clayton County Water Authority, and their water supply contains very little of the chemical. According to him, it might take up to $450 million and five years to comply with the new federal requirements.

However, Franks stated that since they are currently adhering to all regulations for safe drinking water, existing customers shouldn’t be concerned.

“My family and I have lived in Clayton County all of our lives,” he declared. We keep sipping and enjoying our tap water.

Being a member of the Clayton County Water Authority team, which takes great satisfaction in managing one of the most valuable and life-sustaining resources in the world—water—makes me proud! The public health of our community is our top focus.