NCDEQ gets public input about proposed groundwater standards

"What we need to be talking about is stopping PFAS contamination at the source, holding polluters responsible, and making sure the burden doesn't fall on the people who's already paying with their blood, with their lives, with their health."

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY)–Representatives from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) were in Wilmington Monday, to listen to public comments about proposed groundwater standards.

The DEQ says its standards for three PFAS compounds will supplement federal drinking water standards, by reducing the chemicals from entering water sources and addressing past contaminations.

Laura Oleniacz is a DEQ spokesperson. She says groundwater is a key place to focus on clearing up contamination.

“These standards are developed to be protective of human health. They are also developed to be protective of water as a drinking water source. So, groundwater as a drinking water source,” Oleniacz said.

Resident Rebecca Trammel says the DEQ is heading in the right direction, but hopes the agency can speed up the process of getting water supply at safe levels where it needs to be.

“What we need to be talking about is stopping PFAS contamination at the source, holding polluters responsible, and making sure the burden doesn’t fall on the people who’s already paying with their blood, with their lives, with their health,” Trammel said.

Trammel feels the meeting didn’t address the dangers of PFAS as a whole, but rather — specific PFAS compounds.

She’s calling for more research about the impact of these “manmade chemicals” on the human body.