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Industrial chemicals and arsenic were found in Kitri’s well water.
Of the results returned so far, four residences have high levels of PFAS in their well systems and three have elevated arsenic levels, according to the town manager. September Dawn Pants/The New York Times
KITTARY, Maine (AP) — Officials in Kittery found elevated levels of industrial chemicals and arsenic in well water near the town’s landfill.
This portsmouth herald Routine inspections of test wells near the Kittery resource recovery facility, known as the town dump or transfer station, by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection revealed elevated levels of contaminants at three well sites, reports Saturday. The facility is near the Old Town Landfill, which was closed by state order in 1993, about 4 miles from the New Hampshire border.
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The state is examining chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl groups, industrial chemicals found in public water systems across the country. They are used in goods such as fire fighting foam, nonstick pans, fast food packaging, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, but are no longer used in U.S. manufacturing. Water sampling found contaminated water around military bases, factories and other locations.
The town and the Maine DEP contacted nearby property owners to test their residential wells and give them bottled water.
Of the results returned so far, four residences have high levels of PFAS in their well systems and three have elevated arsenic levels, according to the town manager. The town is awaiting results on several properties.
Town officials believe the old landfill may have been a source of industrial chemicals, but the arsenic may have come from natural bedrock.
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