NH bill would require limits on PFCs in water

CONCORD — A bipartisan group of prominent state lawmakers are sponsoring legislation that calls for the state to set standards for a group of toxic chemicals that are increasingly being found in water supplies around the state.
Under the proposed legislation, the standards will be based on those adopted by other states, peer-reviewed science and federal Environmental Protection Agency standards.
“An issue like this doesn’t know political boundaries.” The group of co-sponsors on SB309 includes state Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, D-Portsmouth, Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, state Rep. Mindi Messmer, D-Rye, and state Rep. Phil Bean, R-Hampton.
Innis said SB309 is “almost identical if not identical to a bill before the Senate last year that was passed and didn’t make it through conference.” “The House felt it needed a fiscal note, which it didn’t have, but we’ve got one this time,” said Innis, who added the legislation is important because it “ensures the state is staying current with scientific advances with respect to emerging contaminants.” “DES could look at this…and say we believe 70 parts per trillion is the right way to go or they may decide it should go a little bit lower,” he said.
“States around us are going lower, but that doesn’t mean we should be going lower.
We should rely on the science.” If passed, the bill would require DES to set a standard for surface water for PFASs, which is something that hasn’t been done.
“DES hasn’t issued one nor has the EPA.
I think it’s important we set one,” Innis said and pointed to Berry’s Brook, which is adjacent the Coakley landfill Superfund cleanup site.
“Berry’s Brook has an exceptionally high level of PFCs.
Is it a problem?

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