Over the past several years, Maine has taken numerous steps in addressing the growing concern of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. With the implementation of new regulations, including an interim drinking water standard of 20 parts per trillion for six PFAS compounds, the state has positioned itself at the forefront of PFAS management. However, the success of these efforts’ hinges on a crucial factor: accurate and reliable testing.

Testing serves as the cornerstone of Maine’s PFAS strategy. It enables the identification of contaminated sites, assessment of drinking water safety, and evaluation of remediation efforts. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has embarked on an ambitious program to monitor PFAS levels in soil and groundwater at sludge and septage sites, as well as nearby drinking water wells. This proactive approach allows for swift intervention when contamination is detected, ensuring public health is protected.

While PFAS testing is complex and was historically available only through labs outside of the state of Maine, initiatives from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection have helped lead to new testing capabilities within the state that are more economical and faster than out of state testing. The recent finalization of EPA Method 1633A in 2024 has helped to standardize testing procedures and improve accuracy as compared to lab specific methods that had been the standard approach for matrices such as groundwater, well water, wastewater, and soil. While EPA methods for public drinking water systems (EPA 537.1 and EPA 533) are well established, these typically do not extend to private wells.  Additionally, the specific list of compounds varies across methods. However, the EPA has established a list of compounds that they view as having the greatest potential risk for human health and have established guidelines on acceptable concentrations. Additionally, the state of Maine has established guidelines that focus on 6 compounds.

PFAS continues to be a topic of interest during the legislative session with several PFAS related bills up for review during the first legislative session of 2025. For example, the bill to establish Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry led PFAS Response Program is imperative for the agricultural industry. Other bills focus on expanding testing for private wells including providing financial resources for testing. Water testing can leverage existing EPA methods and DEP guidelines, making implementation relatively easy. The increase of in-state testing capacity also makes the proposed testing realistic both financially and in terms of more rapid turnaround times for testing results.

Other bills propose testing of non-traditional materials associated with solar and wind energy facilities. This type of testing is completely feasible, but there is likely less of a roadmap to follow from existing methods and agency guidelines relating to both the PFAS compounds of interest and the maximum levels that should be allowed. The choice of testing method and sample matrix type can significantly impact results. It is important for legislators to consider these complexities when crafting PFAS-related policies.

As legislators continue to grapple with how to regulate PFAS, testing is a tool that should be expanded and supported. The more consumers, municipalities, companies and the government have access to reliable, timely testing results, the better the policy solution.

As Maine continues to lead in PFAS mitigation efforts, expanding access to reliable testing is vital for protecting public health and the environment. Collaboration between policymakers, scientists, and testing facilities will ensure that Maine’s strategy remains adaptable to evolving scientific understanding while addressing the challenges posed by comprehensive testing. By prioritizing accurate data and timely results, Maine can build a sustainable path forward in combating PFAS contamination.