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Resident reports elevated PFAS in private well during Nederland sustainability meeting
Summary
A resident and board member reported private well testing through Boulder County showed PFOA levels nearly three times the EPA guideline; they described mitigation options and urged community awareness and county testing programs.
A Nederland resident reported to the Sustainability Advisory Board that a Boulder County PFAS testing program found one PFOA measurement in their private well at nearly three times the EPA guideline, and said the county's free testing includes a countertop filter option for households taking part.
The resident said they received detailed results through a state/county testing program and are considering whole‑house reverse‑osmosis systems to address contamination in drinking and irrigation water. They noted that countertop reverse‑osmosis pitchers are provided to participants in the county's testing program, while whole‑house systems cost more and can discharge concentrated contaminants to septic systems unless properly managed.
Board members discussed the difficulty of tracing the contamination to a local source and emphasized that PFAS (per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are widespread. Staff pointed to the county/state testing program as a public resource and encouraged residents on wells to participate in testing if concerned.
Next steps: the board did not make a formal recommendation but flagged the county testing program and local mitigation options for residents; staff agreed to share testing information and resources with the community.
