1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I am writing as your constituent to express my strong support for House Bill 569, the PFAS Pollution and Polluter Liability Act. This legislation is a critical step toward protecting North Carolinians from the dangers of PFAS contamination in our drinking water. HB 569 rightly holds PFAS manufacturers accountable for cleaning up the pollution they have caused, shifting the financial burden from ratepayers to the responsible parties. This approach not only ensures justice for affected communities but also incentivizes industry to prevent future contamination. The bill’s provisions for reimbursing ratepayers through future rate reductions are particularly important for those of us who have already borne increased costs due to PFAS cleanup efforts. However, I am concerned that the bill’s current focus is limited to public water systems. As a resident who relies on a private well for drinking water, I am acutely aware of the risks PFAS contamination poses to well-dependent households. Recent state data show that PFAS levels in groundwater near landfills and other sources can far exceed federal safety limits, and North Carolina ranks second in the nation for residents relying on private wells. Unlike municipal water users, private well owners do not benefit from regular testing or regulatory protections, leaving us especially vulnerable. I respectfully urge you to support an amendment to HB 569 that would extend its protections and remediation requirements to include private wells. This would ensure that all North Carolinians-regardless of how they receive their drinking water-are safeguarded from the health risks associated with PFAS exposure. Expanding the bill’s scope to cover private wells is a necessary and just addition, given the widespread and well-documented contamination affecting our state. Thank you for your leadership on this issue and for considering this important modification to HB 569. Please continue to stand up for the health and safety of all North Carolina residents.