Maine lawmakers advanced a bill last week that would require landlords and home sellers to test or disclose PFAS contamination in private well water, responding to growing fears of chemical exposure from sludge-fertilized farmland.
Kevin Miller reports for Maine Public.
In short:
- The Maine House passed LD 493, which would require landlords to test for PFAS in private wells, just as they already must for arsenic. Home sellers would also need to disclose prior PFAS testing results.
- Though the bill does not mandate landlords treat contaminated water, it aims to inform renters about potential health risks. Supporters say access to clean drinking water should not depend on where someone lives.
- Some Republican lawmakers opposed the bill, citing the cost burden on landlords. A separate bill passed would help low-income households cover testing expenses.
Key quote:
"Tenants should know what they are drinking. Clean water is a basic human right. Where you live should not determine if you have clean drinking water."
— Rep. Laurie Osher, D-Orono
Why this matters:
In Maine, PFAS contamination has been traced to human sewage sludge used as fertilizer on farmland, particularly in rural areas. That sludge, often originating from industrial sources like paper mills, carried PFAS that leached into the soil, groundwater, and crops. As a result, private wells in affected areas now show elevated levels of the chemicals, which have been linked to cancers, hormone disruption, and immune system effects. Unlike municipal systems, private wells are unregulated, meaning people often drink contaminated water for years without knowing it. The proposed laws in Maine reflect growing concern across the country about PFAS exposure and its invisible but persistent threat to health, particularly for low-income and rural communities.
Read more: Maine lawmakers debate exceptions to PFAS product ban
