by Michael J. Marino
Testing for a group of harmful chemicals known as “PFAs” was cancelled after the May 8 meeting of the Worden-Ballantine Yellowstone County (WBYC) Water and Sewer District. Also, district manager and bookkeeper, Dan Krum said he may step down from the manager position due to licensing requirements.
Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) have been used in many household products since the 1940s like cookware and firefighting foam, according to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). PFAs are called “forever chemicals” because they do not easily break down and can stay in the environment – and people’s bodies – for long periods of time.
Some of the potential risks associated with PFAs are believed to include “…reproductive effects in women, changes in liver enzymes, and a higher risk of kidney or testicular cancer,” according to studies by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
WBYC Grant Administrator, Sandy Kust told the board on Monday they were soon scheduled to begin testing for PFAs in conjunction with other water pump testing. Though PFA tests are not currently required by DEQ, Kust said she felt it would be good to get started early as “it’s going to be a mandatory test in a few years, anyway.”
Board member Gary Fredericks questioned whether the district should engage in PFA testing if it is not required because “it’s not highly likely we’ll find any here.” He added he was concerned that if the testing did find PFAs, it could “destroy our entire project before we have it in place,” referring to WBYC’s ongoing project to build new wells to fix contamination discovered in 2019.
“We are not prepared for a negative result,” said Fredericks. “We’d be taking a chance and risking all the work we’ve already done.”
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