PA Receiving $75M In Funding To Battle Water Contamination

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pennsylvania is receiving $75 million to combat drinking water contamination that include Polyfluoralkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals."

Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman announced the funding in a joint statement on Tuesday. The Environmental Protection Agency grant will allow the state to treat polluted water and conduct water quality testing.

According to the Environmental Working Group, the Polyfluoralkyl substances, or PFAS, are highly toxic flourinated chemicals. They build up in people and do not break down in the environment.

Even small does of PFAS have been linked to cancer, reproductive and immune system ailments and other diseases.

Casey long has attempted to address PFAS contamination in drinking water in Bucks and Montgomery counties resulting from the use of a toxic firefighting agent at military facilities.

“For years I have I urged multiple presidents’ administrations to get ‘forever chemicals’ like PFAS out of Pennsylvania drinking water and keep them out,” Casey said. "This major investment, made possible by the infrastructure law, is a strong start to clean up PFAS contamination in Pennsylvania’s waters."

Added Fetterman: "These chemicals are a major threat to our community’s health and safety, and we’re going to keep working towards ensuring clean drinking water for all."