A new report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) says, “consumption of just a single serving of freshwater fish per year could be equal to a month of drinking water laced with the ‘forever chemical’ PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid) at high levels that may be harmful.”

While we can’t confirm the science behind this report, which was produced by an advocacy organization, it should serve to underscore the importance of source water protection. Protecting sources of our drinking water is an effective way to minimize public health risks, instill customer confidence and control treatment costs.

That’s why it’s important that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and water providers pay close attention to both the quality and affordability of water. People deserve to know not only what’s in their water, but at what level potential contaminants are harmful. And ratepayers should feel confident that the dollars they spend on water are prioritized to keep them safe.

As the EPA considers how to regulate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water, it is important that responsible parties are held accountable for PFAS contamination. If water systems are forced to absorb those costs, they will likely be ultimately borne by consumers.

If you have questions about your water quality, go straight to the source. Your water provider can tell you where your water comes from, how it’s treated, and whether a home treatment device might help with taste or quality concerns. You’ll also be better positioned to interpret what is helpful and what is not in advocacy reports.