Reed, Whitehouse & Amo Welcome $1 Million for Tiverton Water System Improvements to Address PFAS Contamination

TIVERTON, RI -- In an effort to provide vital assistance to Tiverton residents affected by toxic “forever chemicals,” also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representative Gabe Amo today welcomed approval of an agreement to provide Tiverton with $1 million through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Emergency Community Water Assistance grant. PFAS are man-made chemicals that are used in industry and consumer products and can lead to serious health effects, reproductive and developmental harms, and weakened immune systems. These “forever chemicals” can be found in a variety of products related to packaging, carpets, leather products, nonstick coatings and cookware, firefighting foams, and textiles that enhance water, grease and soil repellents. Although major manufacturing of certain PFAS in the U.S. ended over a decade ago, they still exist in the environment and in products due to their slow breakdown process. Once released into the air, water, or soil, PFAS can easily travel long distances and contaminate rivers, lakes and wells that are used for drinking water. More than one hundred private wells in Tiverton that have been tested to date have exceeded Rhode Island’s 20 parts-per-trillion standard, and testing is still underway. With some wells registering PFAS concentrations above 4,000 parts per trillion, Tiverton families urgently need help accessing safe drinking water and determining the scope and source of this contamination Reed, Whitehouse, and Amo wrote a letter to the head of the USDA on September 8 supporting a request for this funding, which will help launch the installation of an emergency public water line to restore reliable drinking water to homeowners whose private wells have been contaminated with dangerous levels of PFAS. “This is a positive step in a multi-step process that will help address existing water infrastructure issues while extending reliable water service to additional residents. Scientists and experts are still working to better understand PFAS, their risks, and the extent of the situation in Tiverton and there needs to be continued public outreach so everyone understands the type of assistance available and next steps,” said Senator Reed. “Dangerous levels of PFAS have contaminated Tiverton’s water and put families on edge about their health,” said Senator Whitehouse. “We have helped secure federal funding for North Tiverton Fire District to install an emergency public water line. This is an important step forward and I am committed to supporting the town in its efforts to restore safe drinking water and peace of mind to residents.” “Every Rhode Islander should have access to safe, clean drinking water. I’m proud to have fought to secure this federal funding to ensure the North Tiverton Fire District has the tools they need to respond to the PFAS contamination crisis and install an emergency public waterline,” said Congressman Amo. “As Tiverton continues to recover, I will continue working with federal, state, and local leaders to restore safe, clean drinking water, safeguard residents’ health, and prevent further economic disruption to the community.” Earlier this year, the Associated Press reported that: “The Trump administration will soon propose softening Biden-era limits on “forever chemicals” in drinking water, delaying but keeping tough standards for two common types and rescinding limits on some rarer forms of the substance, according to an EPA official.” Full text of the September 8 letter follows: The Honorable Brooke Rollins, Secretary U.S. Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250 Dear Secretary Rollins: We write in support of North Tiverton Fire District’s application for funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Community Water Assistance grant. This funding would help launch the installation of an emergency public water line to restore reliable drinking water to homeowners whose private wells have been contaminated with dangerous levels of PFAS. Residents in the affected zones, including Crandall Road, Bulgarmarsh Road, and Stafford Road, cited elevated PFAS levels in their private wells, reaching over 4,000 parts per trillion (ppt), more than 19,900% above the state’s safety limit of 20 ppt. Testing as of September 1, shows that 63 out of 113 private wells exceeded safety limits, with 3 homes so heavily contaminated that standard filtration cannot treat the water. Residents are now relying on bottled water deliveries and emergency supplies brought in from nearby communities. This water crisis has disrupted residents' livelihoods, forcing families to rethink their daily routines, including cooking and showering. The installation of a new water line will immediately restore safe, reliable drinking water in the areas with particularly elevated levels. Construction will conclude before the end of December, protecting homeowners ahead of potential severe winter storms. Any further delay extends public exposure to hazardous chemicals, directly increasing the risk of kidney and other cancers, weakening immune response, and contributing to lower birth weights. This installation is vital to safeguard residents’ health and prevent further devastating economic disruption to the community. We support North Tiverton Fire District’s proposal and respectfully request your consideration of its application, within all applicable rules and regulations of your agency. If we can be of further assistance to you in this matter, please do not hesitate to contact our offices. Thank you. Sincerely,