Rep. John Curtis introduces bipartisan bill to protect Utahns from PFAS cleanup costs

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) introduced a bill in Washington D.C. last week called “Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act” to ensure water utilities continue focusing their efforts on water quality and keep Utahns from paying the price for chemical cleanup.

“In the West, and particularly in Utah, we understand deeply the value of clean water to our communities, our economy, and our way of life,” Curtis said in a press release.

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Curtis introduced the bipartisan bill with Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez (D-WA) while in Washington, D.C.

Curtis sad the bill “prevents the burden of industrial irresponsibility” from falling on Utahns.

“It’s about ensuring that those who profit from these chemicals bear the cost of their impact, not the Utahns who rely on the integrity of their water supply,” Curtis said.

Gluesenkamp-Perez said PFAS chemicals have harmful effects on the development of children and the health of humans in general, pinning the responsibility on water utilities as the “front line” for treating and disposing of the harmful substances.

“This bipartisan legislation will help ensure policies to hold PFAS polluters accountable aren’t having unintended consequences on water utilities and ratepayers, especially in small and rural communities,” Gluesenkamp-Perez said.

The General Manager of the Central Utah Water Conservancy District, Gene Shawcroft, said Utah’s water districts are committed to providing safe, clean drinking water to citizens.

Shawcroft echoed Curtis’ sentiments, saying that “the costs of clean up should be borne by the polluters who introduced PFAS substances into our water supplies.”

The Water Coalition Against PFAS said the bill introduced by Curtis and Gluesenkamp-Perez would hold PFAS manufacturers responsible.

“The victims should not have to pay for the contamination caused by others,” Shawcroft said.

What are PFAS?

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and are described as being long-lasting chemicals that break down very slowly over time, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

These chemicals can be found in water, fish, soil and even air across the globe.

“Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals,” the EPA said.

According to the EPA, people can be exposed to PFAS through a variety of ways, including drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food. There is also the possibility of being exposed to PFAS through products made with the chemicals or products packaged in material containing PFAS.

Some negative effects of PFAS can include decreased fertility, increased risk of some cancers (including prostate and kidney, among others) and reduced ability of the immune system.

More information on the EPA’s “current understanding” of PFAS is available online. The EPA also has a fact sheet available.

In 2022, the EPA announced formal plans to designate two common PFAS as hazardous substances.

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