HOULTON, Maine — Houlton’s drinking water is free of the harmful synthetic “forever” chemicals that have made headlines across the nation in recent months.
Greg Sherman, general manager of Houlton Water Company, said his company recently had its water tested to see if there were any per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in the drinking water.
“It is a pleasure to inform the Houlton Water Company water customers, that the water provided
to our customers on a daily basis is free of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that have made headlines in Maine and around the country,” said Sherman.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s website, “Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other chemicals. PFAS have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries around the globe, including in the United States since the 1940s. PFOA and PFOS have been the most extensively produced and studied of these chemicals. Both chemicals are very persistent in the environment and in the human body — meaning they don’t break down and they can accumulate over time. There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects.”
Studies indicate that PFOA and PFOS can cause reproductive and developmental, liver and kidney, and immunological effects in laboratory animals. Both chemicals have caused tumors in animals. The most consistent findings are increased cholesterol levels among exposed populations, with more limited findings related to: low infant birth weights; effects on the immune system; cancer (for PFOA); and thyroid hormone disruption (for PFOS).
The issue of PFAS chemicals in Maine wastewater came to a head this year after high levels were found in the water, soil and milk of an Arundel dairy farm where the farmer had spread utility wastewater and paper mill sludge for decades. And the farmer and his wife — Fred and Laura Stone — were found to have higher than average levels of PFOS in their blood this summer.
HWC stopped the practice of spreading its sludge on fields several years ago, according to Sherman. Instead, the company freeze-dries its liquid sludge and packages its sludge to be sold to a local waste management company.
“We found it to be more economical to use our freeze-drying method,” Sherman said. “Once frozen, it goes to Casella Organics. They then decide to use it for their compost or place it into a landfill.”
In June 2019, the HWC Board decided to test the HWC wells for these contaminants that are being found in the environment and in everyday foods consumed or products used. According to Sherman, the test samples were taken on July 15 by CES Inc., an independent engineering firm.
The samples were sent to Alpha Analytical Laboratory, which is accredited under the rules of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, for U.S. EPA Modified Method 537 for the sampling of the most prevalent PFAS contaminants or “Forever Chemicals.” The results were received on July 29, and the samples were found to have no PFAS contaminants or the result of “Not Detected.”
“The level of testing is looking for these contaminants down to the parts per trillion,” Sherman said. “One PPT would be represented by a single drop of food coloring in 18 million gallons of water.”
Sherman expressed his gratitude to the community for continuing to support Houlton Water Company.
“On behalf of the HWC board, we are grateful to provide this information to our customers and emphasize that the water you drink is safe and free from these chemicals and the water provided to you on a daily basis either meets or exceeds the state of Maine Drinking Water Program standards. We continue to serve our customers and to monitor and protect the sources of drinking water that our community relies upon daily.”
