Maine Senate gives initial support to Sen. Mike Tipping bill to protect residents from PFAS contamination at Juniper Ridge Landfill

AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, May 21, the Maine Senate endorsed a bill from Sen. Mike Tipping, D-Orono. LD 1604, “An Act to Protect Groundwater and Surface Waters from Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances from Landfill Leachate,” seeks to protect residents from PFAS contamination from landfills across the state of Maine and specifically protect residents of Old Town, Alton and towns along the Penobscot River from leachate from the Juniper Ridge Landfill.

“For much of my life and my career, I’ve been an advocate for protecting our water, our wildlife and our public health,” said Sen. Tipping. “I grew up right downstream from Juniper Ridge, and I’m proud to be able to continue to protect the Penobscot River and the people of my district from toxic chemicals with the advancement of this bill.”

As amended, LD 1604 would require solid waste landfills to maintain a record of and annually report to the DEP data and information on the presence of PFAS chemicals in leachate, the “landfill juice” that runs off into surface and groundwater. 

Test results would be publicly accessible and available on the DEP’s website, allowing the public and municipalities to have a better understanding of what’s going into their water.

It would also give property owners next to the landfill the right to request free, one-time sampling, testing and analysis of their private drinking wells. If dangerous or elevated levels of PFAS are detected, then the DEP will conduct additional testing. It would give residents the opportunity to learn about and address potential exposure to PFAS contamination before it harms their health.

LD 1604 builds on Sen. Tipping’s work to protect the Penobscot River from pollution, including working with environmental groups and the Penobscot Nation to hold the Mallinckrodt Corporation responsible for dumping mercury in the river. Three years ago, they finally reached a legal settlement forcing them to pay for the largest citizen-initiated ecosystem-wide cleanup in history.

In testimony at the public hearing, West Old Town resident Ed Spencer told the Committee, “Since landfills are known to be hotspots of PFAS contamination, abutters and neighbors of landfills need to be able to trust their private water wells. LD 1604 requires that wells will be tested upon request to the DEP and that this information will protect the citizens and hopefully alert others that there is a problem before it grows.”

In the coming weeks, LD 1604 will face additional votes in the House and Senate.

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