Americans across the nation may soon find themselves facing steep costs in order to enjoy cleaner water.
Water systems across the country are cautioning residents about the possibility of significant increases in their water rates. These rate hikes are a result of the installation of advanced filtration technology aimed at removing toxic chemicals, specifically a group of chemicals known as PFAS, from the water supply.
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Utilities in South Florida to upstate New York have issued warnings to their customers about the potential for substantial price hikes. This comes after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated that these utilities must remove certain substances from their systems. These substances have been linked to various diseases, including cancer.
In a recent announcement, the EPA stated that it will now mandate utilities with water systems that have elevated levels of six types of PFAS to take action and eliminate these harmful substances from the water.
PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, encompasses a wide range of chemicals that have found utility in the manufacturing of nonstick and waterproof products, as well as firefighting foam.
The chemicals have also spread widely in the environment, partly because they have a tendency to remain intact for a long period instead of breaking down.
Exposure to the aforementioned persistent chemicals has been associated with higher chances of developing prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers. Furthermore, it has been found to weaken the immune system, elevate cholesterol levels, and lead to developmental problems in children.
Utilities across the country will now have to remove PFAS from drinking water to protect customers from exposure. However, this necessary action comes with a cost.
In a recent announcement, authorities in Broward County, a heavily populated area in South Florida, have cautioned residents about the possibility of experiencing a significant increase in water rates. According to the county officials, those who rely on county water may face the prospect of their water bills doubling or even tripling in the near future.
According to Alan Garcia, the director of Broward County Water and Wastewater Services, the average monthly bill for water is currently around $26. He acknowledged that this amount could potentially triple as the county works on filtering out PFAS. However, he also mentioned that it’s uncertain whether rates will actually increase by that much.
The utility serves 66,000 accounts, which is estimated to be around 230,000 individuals.
Officials in Fort Worth, Texas, had previously cautioned ratepayers about the potential repercussions before the EPA implemented the new rule last month.
According to Chris Harder, the Water Director of Fort Worth, the cost of the project will be significant and will ultimately affect the ratepayers. Despite the potential financial burden, Harder emphasizes the necessity of moving forward with the project. In an interview with Fort Worth Report, he stated, “We’re going to be doing everything we possibly can to get some federal support in terms of the funding, but we’re going to have to move forward.”
Water suppliers in the Buffalo, N.Y., area have expressed concern over the potential impact of PFAS filtration on water rates, as reported by The Buffalo News.
In the years to come, these few communities will not be the only ones facing the issue of high water bills.
According to Chris Moody, regulatory technical manager at the American Water Works Association, a lobby group representing water providers, many systems will need to raise rates due to the implementation of this rule.
It is still uncertain which water systems will be required to filter out PFAS. The rule allows utilities some time to conduct tests on their water to determine if the levels of these chemicals exceed the federal thresholds. If the levels are found to be above the thresholds, utilities will be obligated to install technology to eliminate them.
According to the EPA’s rule, the locales that have already informed their consumers about rate increases may just be the beginning. The EPA estimates that approximately 6 percent to 10 percent of water systems will eventually be discovered to have PFAS levels that necessitate action.
Moody believes that the number provided is an underestimation and that there is a possibility of more water systems across the country being contaminated.
Water providers have recently reached a significant resolution in a major class action lawsuit against manufacturers of PFAS. As a result, chemical giants may be required to collectively pay billions of dollars to cover the costs associated with treating PFAS-contaminated water.
According to Moody, it is anticipated that the settlements will not be sufficient to cover the costs.
According to him, receiving money through it would only provide assistance with approximately one-third or one-fourth of the expenses.
Treating PFAS is definitely a crucial step to reduce the exposure of communities to harmful substances, despite the additional costs involved. According to Garcia, it is an important measure that should not be overlooked.
However, he pointed out that we are currently experiencing the consequences of companies’ utilization of PFAS.
