“I was surprised to learn just this morning through news reports that the First Taxing District Water Department and the state Department of Public Health have been dealing with potentially harmful PFAS that were found in Norwalk’s public drinking water supply in December.
“PFAS are called ‘forever chemicals’ because they do not break down in nature or in the human body. The worst and most recent example of PFAS pollution in Connecticut occurred several weeks ago after approximately 50,000 gallons of water and firefighting foam containing PFAS leaked from a private airport hangar at Bradley International Airport and into the Farmington River. The issue is so serious that Governor Lamont has formed a state working group to study PFAS and recommend ways to minimize environmental exposure, minimize future releases, and assess cleanup methods.
“I understand that the levels of PFAS found by the First Taxing District Water Department in December are below the current EPA drinking water health advisory limit of 70 parts per trillion, that the First Taxing District Water Department took one well offline to flush it, and that it reportedly has been ‘partnering’ with the state Health Department to engage in public education.
“But I would strongly urge the First Taxing District Water Department and the state Health Department in the future to use an abundance of caution and to be more forthcoming with the public and with state and local officials when dealing with this particular chemical. It’s our duty to protect the public health at all costs, and that duty begins with the timely and candid sharing of important information. I believe the seven-month delay between detection and discussion of this chemical has done little to bolster public confidence in the First Taxing District Water Department. The lack of communication with me on this issue from both the First Taxing District Water Department and the state Health Department has also done little to strengthen my relationship with either entity. We can and must do better in the coming weeks and months, and I look forward to better communication going forward.”
