MAINE MONITOR • May 20, 2023
A promotional video for Beachwood Bay Estates condominium in the Washington County town of Cutler captured the community’s lush green spaces, winding paths and seaside benches. Not shown was the adjacent Cutler U.S. Navy Firehouse Station — the source of well contamination by PFAS, so-called “forever chemicals” used widely in many products, including firefighting foams. Several types of PFOA and PFAS, which stand for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, were found in more than half of the 60 wells tested in the area, including those providing water for the 64 condominiums. As of December, 19 wells remained above the accepted standard for PFAS.