Harford County Water Now PFAS-Free

Harford County has implemented a new system to guarantee the safety and purity of its drinking water, effectively eliminating 'forever chemicals' known as PFAS. This proactive measure was spurred by previous issues, including a period where 10 public schools had to rely on bottled water.

The county invested $375,000 in a state-of-the-art machine, making it the first in Maryland to conduct PFAS testing in-house. This new equipment allows for the rapid analysis of water samples, providing results in as little as two to three days.

Previously, samples were sent to subcontracted labs, with results taking two to four weeks. The new in-house process is not only faster but also more cost-effective. Current PFAS levels in Harford County's water supply are reported at one part per trillion, significantly lower than the Environmental Protection Agency's maximum permissible limit of four parts per trillion.