Village of Maine residents voice concerns over PFAS contamination in private wells, water supply

Village of Maine, Wis. (WSAW) — Village of Maine residents are sharing concerns about PFAS, or forever chemicals, found in private wells and the water supply.

The village held a town hall meeting to educate, inform and answer questions about the contamination on Saturday.

“They stay forever, embedded wherever they are meaning in rocks and the soil and the water,” said Gabriel Vasquez, attorney from Napoli and Shkolnik.

People in the village of Maine say they are concerned about PFAS that have shown up in private wells. The contamination has led to a class-action lawsuit claiming the forever chemicals are coming from 3M leaving roofing materials at its Greystone facility and quarry.

“We are investigating if they have developed conditions that are associated with PFAS exposure,” Vasquez said.

For many families, understanding the dangers of being exposed to PFAS can be hard to navigate. At the meeting, residents got a chance to voice their concerns about PFAS and learn the options available to reduce them in their daily lives.

“I guess I’m concerned. I really wasn’t acutely aware of the direct impact that it could have. So, at this point I’m kind of interested in looking into seeing if maybe some past issues could have been linked to that,” said Tom Marquardt.

The lawsuit is still pending. Lawyers recommend those around the affected area get their water tested and possibly ask a doctor for a blood test so they can join the action to be eligible for compensation.

“We are doing everything in our capacity to be able to, sooner than later, be able to prove to the court that there is definitely PFAS contamination generated at the 3M Greystone Quarry and that it has affected the residents of the town of Maine,” Vasquez said.

Vasquez strongly advises that everyone get their water tested to see if they are eligible to be part of the lawsuit.

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