§2660-Z. Information regarding PFAS; private drinking water wells
1.
Definitions.
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A.
"Department" means the Department of Environmental Protection.
[PL 2025, c. 321, §1 (NEW).]
B.
"Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances" or "PFAS" means a perfluoroalkyl substance or polyfluoroalkyl substance that is detectable in drinking water using standard laboratory methods established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, including regulated PFAS contaminants.
[PL 2025, c. 321, §1 (NEW).]
C.
"Regulated PFAS contaminants" means:
[PL 2025, c. 321, §1 (NEW).]
(1)
The specific PFAS compounds regulated pursuant to the drinking water standards adopted by the Department of Health and Human Services in accordance with Resolve 2021, chapter 82; or
(2)
If maximum contaminant levels for PFAS are adopted by the Department of Health and Human Services subsequent to the adoption of the drinking water standards described in subparagraph (1), the specific PFAS compounds regulated pursuant to those maximum contaminant levels.
[PL 2025, c. 321, §1 (NEW).]
2.
Posting of information regarding maximum contaminant levels for PFAS.
The department shall post on its publicly accessible website information regarding the most stringent maximum contaminant levels adopted by a federal agency or the State for regulated PFAS contaminants, measured in parts per trillion, that are in effect at the time the information is posted and update the information whenever a maximum contaminant level is changed.
[PL 2025, c. 321, §1 (NEW).]
3.
Provision of information to owner of private drinking water well tested for PFAS contamination.
If the department conducts or facilitates the testing of a private drinking water well for potential PFAS contamination, it shall provide to the owner of the well, by mail and, if possible, by e-mail, the following information at the time that it provides the owner with the results of that testing:
A.
Information regarding the most stringent maximum contaminant levels adopted by a federal agency or the State for regulated PFAS contaminants, measured in parts per trillion, that are in effect at the time of the testing;
[PL 2025, c. 321, §1 (NEW).]
B.
A comparison of the testing results to the most stringent maximum contaminant levels adopted by a federal agency or the State for regulated PFAS contaminants, measured in parts per trillion, that are in effect at the time of the testing; and
[PL 2025, c. 321, §1 (NEW).]
C.
Information regarding resources available to owners of private drinking water wells affected by PFAS contamination, including information regarding available mitigation strategies for PFAS in private drinking water wells, information regarding entities that test for PFAS in private drinking water wells and information regarding financial assistance, if available, from state, federal and local governments and other sources to support testing and mitigation of PFAS in private drinking water wells.
[PL 2025, c. 321, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 2025, c. 321, §1 (NEW).]
4.
Provision of information to other private drinking water well owners.
If the department has not conducted or facilitated the testing of a private drinking water well for potential PFAS contamination, the department shall provide to the owner of the private drinking water well, by mail and, if possible, by e-mail, the information under subsection 3, paragraphs A and C if the department has knowledge that the well may be contaminated by PFAS or if the owner requests such information by telephone, in writing or by e-mail.
[PL 2025, c. 321, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2025, c. 321, §1 (NEW).