They’re called “forever chemicals” because they never seem to disappear.
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that do not break down in the environment or our bodies. They can travel through soil to contaminate municipal water systems and private wells.
In March 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the first-ever national water standard for six PFAS. According to Waterkeeper Alliance, a global nonprofit that focuses on clean water initiatives, Maryland has some of the highest PFAS contamination levels in the country.
The Waiting Game
The EPA proposal targets six PFAS commonly found in drinking water sources. The federal agency expects to adopt the new regulations in late 2023 or early 2024.
The proposal would require public water systems to:
- Monitor for these PFAS
- Notify the public of the levels of these PFAS
- Reduce the PFAS levels in drinking water if they exceed the proposed standards.
But here’s the catch.
The earliest these new guidelines are likely to be implemented at the local state level is 2026—if not longer. Do you want to wait three years wondering if your drinking water is safe?
Mid-Atlantic Water Services can help provide solutions today to help you protect the drinking water in your Maryland home or business.
Our licensed team can test your water and recommend the best systems to improve its quality, whether it involves adding a reverse osmosis system under your kitchen sink or installing a whole-house filtration system that treats all the water in your home.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS have been around since the 1940s and are resistant to water, grease, and heat. They can be found in consumer products such as food packaging, cosmetics—and even toilet paper. You can also find them in the water, soil, public drinking water systems, and private wells.
Research has shown exposure to PFAS can lead to:
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Changes in liver enzymes
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Prenatal and postnatal development
- Other health issues
Exposure comes from drinking tap or well water, as only a small amount of PFAS can enter your body through your skin. Showering, bathing, and washing dishes in water containing PFAS are unlikely to cause health risks.
Improve Your Maryland Drinking Water
Our water quality experts at Mid-Atlantic Water Services can add an extra layer of protection to your city water supply by installing a drinking water system in your Annapolis home.
We can start by testing the water in your home. Test results, determined by a third-party lab, help us determine a solution for your unique needs.
We offer the Pioneer PFOA/PFOS carbon filter that targets PFAS chemicals in your water. Point-of-use drinking water systems, such as the Clear Solutions CS-1000 and Hellenbrand Millenium Reverse Osmosis system, are designed to filter out contaminants at the tap.
Yes, you can buy an unending supply of bottled water—but that is a costly proposition and not the most environment-friendly choice. A high-quality water filtration system improves the taste and odor of drinking water, reduces the risk of illnesses, and reduces your use of plastic bottles.
We use tap water for preparing drinks and meals, so it only makes sense to install an under-the-sink water filter that removes harmful chemicals and ensures the water is pure and healthy.
Why wait? Call us today for a free consultation.
Call Maryland’s Top Water Quality Experts
Enjoy a glass of clean water today. Mid-Atlantic Water Services offers practical and budget-friendly solutions to improve the drinking water in your Annapolis, MD, home. Call us today at 443-808-0420 or request service online.