MAINE PUBLIC • February 14, 2025
A Hallowell lawmaker said he will introduce a bill to make the current federal drinking water limits for PFAS the legal standard in Maine. Democratic Rep. Dan Shagoury said the bill would assure residents that Maine's drinking water is safe, regardless of what the Trump Administration might do to the regulations. “If the federal standards go away it's a guarantee, then that there will be a mechanism that says we still have to meet that standard," Shagoury said. The state limit for PFAS is 20 parts per trillion, while EPA regulations introduced last year set a limit of 4 parts per trillion. Hallowell's public drinking supply has PFAS levels beyond safe federal limits. So, the Hallowell Water District installed a filtration system that provides safe drinking and cooking water to residents. The town plans to build a new water treatment system.