North Hampton Car Wash Cited For PFAS in Water

NORTH HAMPTON, N.H. - According to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, a North Hampton car wash could be to blame for PFAS contamination in local water. According to the Union Leader, Pro-Wash at 22 Lafayette Road will be forced to change how it disposes of contaminants believed to be traveling into Aquarion Water Company’s supply.

The results from tests taken in the fall and spring in wells on the car wash property show readings for regulated PFAS compounds higher than expected by state officials, who said last month they anticipated the tests would reveal more evidence the car wash was the source of PFAS in Aquarion wells. Brandon Kernan of the state Department of Environmental Services said Monday the new set of results “adds to the belief (the car wash) could be potentially responsible for the contamination.”

Readings of up to 158.8 parts per trillion combined for the compounds perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoro-octanesulfonate (PFOS) were found through the tests, according to DES. The Environmental Protection Agency’s health advisory level for PFOS and PFOA combined or separate is 70 ppt.

To read the full story, visit the Union Leader.