Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

PFAS Information for Municipalities

DEEP recognizes that municipalities will face capacity and financial challenges with respect to PFAS. To assist towns, DEEP and the Department of Public Health (DPH) developed guidance, which contains PFAS information most pertinent to municipalities and links to available resources.

PFAS Information for Municipalities (March 2023)

Actions Municipalities Can Take Related to PFAS

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) and other PFAS-containing firefighting foams should never be discharged to the ground, storm drain, surface water, sanitary sewer or septic system.
  • Stop using Class B firefighting foam containing PFAS as required by CGS Section 22a-903a. Common labels for these foams are AFFF, AR-AFFF, FFFP, AR-FFFP, FP, and FPAR.
    • Secure any remaining containers of AFFF, as well as fire extinguishers and “Pro/paks” that contain PFAS foam, for future State pickup should additional funding become available or for disposal by the Municipality using a licensed waste disposal contractor.
    • If AFFF is used by fire services to respond to a life-saving incident or otherwise inadvertently discharged, it must be reported to DEEP Emergency Dispatch at 860-424-3338. In addition, use of new fluorine-free foam (F3) from apparatus that previously held AFFF must also be reported to DEEP, due to PFAS cross-contamination issues.
    • See Draining and Rinsing AFFF from Municipal Onboard Systems for proper procedures
    • PFAS-free foams certified by GreenScreen® for Safer Chemicals are acceptable for use in Connecticut.
  • Test drinking water wells near fire departments, current and former fire training areas, and landfills for PFAS. See PFAS Information for Municipalities and in the PFAS and Private Wells for specifics.
  • Use alternatives to products containing PFAS for use in municipal buildings and schools (cleaning products, floor cleaners and waxes, and food service ware). See https://www.greenscreenchemicals.org/certified for PFAS-free products.

PFAS Assistance for Municipalitiesfirefighting foam trailer

AFFF Take-Back Program

Funding for the state’s AFFF Take-Back Program for municipal PFAS-containing firefighting foam has been exhausted. If additional funds are allocated to continue that effort, DEEP and DESPP intend to:

  1. collect and dispose of any remaining containers of AFFF and fire extinguishers or “Pro/pak” portable foam systems with PFAS foam from municipal fire departments, and 
  2. arrange for the collection and disposal of AFFF remaining in onboard municipal fire apparatus.
Private Well Testing

DEEP has limited funding to test private wells in vulnerable communities located near high-risk, suspected PFAS sources and to provide bottled water and treatment when PFAS are detected in private wells at levels exceeding DPH’s Drinking Water Action Levels. DEEP will reach out to municipalities selected for private well testing when appropriate.

Municipalities may initiate PFAS sampling of drinking water wells. DEEP recommends hiring environmental professionals experienced with PFAS to avoid cross-contamination leading to false detections. Analyses must be done at CT DPH Certified Laboratories.

Testing of Soil or Groundwater for PFAS

Contact the DEEP.PFAS@ct.gov and the DEEP Remediation Division District Supervisor for your town for guidance prior to testing soil or groundwater on Town property.

Pending Legislation

As of March 2023, there is no dedicated source of funding (state or federal) available for municipalities to use for PFAS testing and cleanup initiatives. This may change in the future depending on the outcome of two bills introduced during the 2023 legislative session. However, there are two bills introduced during the 2023 legislative session to assist municipalities. For more information, please see:

Contact Information

Questions regarding PFAS can be emailed to DEEP.PFAS@ct.gov.  

Related Webpages

 

 

Content last updated March 26, 2023