CHATHAM – After a 2018 preliminary study by the University of Rhode Island, Harvard, the state Department of Public Health and Silent Spring showed that nearly half of 101 private wells tested on Cape Cod had detectable levels of potentially cancer-causing PFAS chemicals, it seemed only a matter of time before Cape towns would be finding these “forever chemicals” in their municipal drinking water supply.
Chatham was already facing water use restrictions due to a dry winter when testing this April revealed detectable levels of PFAS in three of its nine public drinking water wells. In one of those wells, one sample showed levels more than twice the actionable level stipulated by the state. That well was immediately shut down, Select Board Chair Peter Cocolis said Wednesday.