A July 6th, 2023 news report from CNNhealth highlighted the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS and their impact on water quality across the United States.  It is predicted that almost half of the water in the US is contaminated with PFAS. PFAS are a family of manmade chemicals that linger in the environment and the human body. 

According to the EPA, exposure to PFAS is linked to problems like high cholesterol, obesity, high blood pressure, developmental effects or delays in children and numerous forms of cancer. Scientists collected tap water samples from 716 locations: 477 public sources and 269 private wells.  Based on findings, the researchers estimate that PFAS contamination would be present in 45% of the drinking water across the US.  Testing data from this study found an average of 2.67 unique PFAS per positive sample.  Nationwide 19 samples had 6 or more unique PFAS chemicals present in each sample, 3 of those samples came from Colorado.  Only 1 other state registered a higher quantity of samples with 6 or more PFAS chemicals present.