Forever Chemicals in Well Water?

Nevada Public Health offers free testing for PFAs in Washoe County private wells.

Northern Nevada Public Health has sent Washoe County residents postcards offering to test for PFAs (commonly known as "Forever Chemicals) in samples from residential wells.

This website has a good explanation of what PFAS are, where they are and the risks to residential wells. It also discusses how to mitigate the problem if your well water has high rates of PFAS.

The site notes that 60% of 254 samples across 16 states had PFAS. They also recommend testing your well yearly for not only PFAS but other contaminants like heavy metals, arsenic and e-coli bacteria.

Here in Washoe County, private lab services provide well testing for a fee. They range from $185 for basic testing up to $624 for a comprehensive test. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection has a list of approved laboratories here.

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension has a guide here on testing well water.