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PUC reports Bergstrom well PFAS below proposed MCL; settlement funds earmarked for future needs
Summary
Staff reported initial PFAS samples from the Bergstrom well were below the proposed MCL of 4 for PFOA/PFOS and said class‑action settlement money from manufacturers will be held for design and construction work at wells (likely Maple Avenue) that may be required before 2031.
Bethel staff told the Public Utilities Commission that initial PFAS sampling at the Bergstrom well returned results below the proposed maximum contaminant level the commission discussed in its meeting.
‘‘The 2 main ones, PFOA and PFOS with a MCL of 4, we are below that MCL,’’ staff (S6) said, reporting detected PFAS analytes in the range of about 1.25 to 1.9 for the chemicals that were present and noting many analytes were nondetect. Staff added the town has set up an account to hold class‑action settlement funds (from manufacturers referenced in meeting) and expects to use that money for remediation or treatment design at other wells such as Maple Avenue, should treatment become necessary.
Why it matters: PFAS regulations and MCLs affect decisions about whether to install treatment systems, how to budget for them and how settlement funds are allocated. Staff said even though Bergstrom is below the cited MCLs, planning and design work for potential treatment and a longer‑range water supply plan update are required; the town must prepare design/construction work by a planning horizon that staff indicated is roughly 2031.
What’s next: staff will continue annual sampling, prepare a water‑supply plan update with consultants as required by the health department, and earmark settlement funds for future PFAS-related projects. Commissioners asked for clarification on timelines and noted that action levels previously used by EPA have been superseded by proposed MCLs.
