Want to know what’s in your drinking water? Suncoast Waterkeeper is expanding our Forever Free PFAS Testing Program to residents across Sarasota and Manatee Counties (excluding private well systems and cities of Sarasota and Venice at this time) and we need your help!
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of harmful synthetic chemicals used in everyday products like cookware and clothing. A 2023 statewide study by Dr. Bowden and researchers at the University of Florida found PFAS in 70% of Sarasota County surface water samples, with North Port showing the highest number of PFAS compounds detected and the highest concentrations in our region.
Despite being recently classified as hazardous substances, efforts to regulate these contaminants have been stalled. As a result, our community lacks access to affordable testing, information, and water filtration. That’s why Suncoast Waterkeeper launched Forever Free to help residents better understand what’s in their water and build local data to guide future solutions.
Through this program, we provide free drinking water sampling kits to residents throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Our goal is to collect 100 samples from our region. So far, we’ve tested 39 samples and identified several PFAS compounds, including PFOA, PFOS, PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, and PFHxS.
Early results show that PFOA and PFOS levels in tested samples have remained below the federal drinking water standards but above the maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG, a threshold based solely on human health, without regard to cost-benefit analyses or technology limitations). However, federal rulemaking is currently underway to rollback, delay, and provide exemptions for these standards before they can even be implemented. That is why Suncoast Waterkeeper is bridging the gap to gather local data. We aim to not only understand local trends but also to provide people with the information they need to protect themselves.
Sampling is simple! Once you sign up, you’ll receive a testing kit with everything you need, including sampling materials and a prepaid shipping label to send your sample to a certified laboratory. After testing is complete, the lab will send your results to Suncoast Waterkeeper, and we’ll provide you with a personalized results packet explaining what was found in your water. You’ll also have an option to review your results with a PFAS advisor on our team.
For residents experiencing financial hardship, we also have tested water dispensers with a one-year supply of filters available to help reduce potential PFAS exposure.
By participating, you can help us:
Collect more local data on PFAS in drinking water
Track PFAS presence throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties
Provide residents with information about their water
Support future research, education, and advocacy
Sign up to receive a free PFAS testing kit and help us reach our goal of 100 samples!
*Residents on well water systems are not eligible for participation at this time
Click here to test your water for free.
A special thank you to the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation for their generous funding of the Forever Free program!
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