Pa.’s widening PFAS water-contamination crisis

PFAS chemicals have been discovered in some private water wells in Bucks Couny. Why are some Pennsylvanians only now realizing their water is contaminated?

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Jessica Cutaiar grabs a couple gallons of water from her basement of her Sellersville home. Her well water is undrinkable, contaminated with PFAs. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

Jessica Cutaiar grabs a couple gallons of water from her basement of her Sellersville home. Her well water is undrinkable, contaminated with PFAs. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

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A class of toxic chemicals called PFAS were recently discovered in private water wells in Bucks County. This came as a surprise because the homes are 15 miles away from the former military air bases bases in Bucks and Montgomery counties that have been at the epicenter of PFAS water contamination in the region. WHYY’s Dana Bate explains why the problem is so difficult to address in Pennsylvania.

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