**Contaminated Future: 'Forever Chemicals' Found in Treated Wastewater**

**Researchers warn that without stricter regulations, millions may be consuming harmful 'forever chemicals' through drinking water.**

As climate challenges and population surges increase reliance on treated wastewater, a troubling new study reveals that this processed water may still harbor high levels of hazardous chemicals. The research, spearheaded by teams at Harvard and New York University, highlights the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in treated wastewater samples collected across the United States.

PFAS substances, colloquially known as “forever chemicals,” due to their persistent nature in the environment, have been linked to serious health issues, including cancer. As reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study found these chemicals continuing to infiltrate drinking water supplies, raising alarms among health and environmental experts alike.

Despite advancements in wastewater treatment technologies, many facilities failed to eliminate these toxic compounds effectively. Alarmingly, the study showed that in some instances, the concentration of PFAS actually increased following treatment processes. With an estimated 23 million Americans potentially exposed to PFAS-tainted drinking water—derived from upstream wastewater treatment plants—the implications for public health are significant.

Moreover, the researchers noted that beyond PFAS, many unregulated organofluorines also permeate wastewater, with unknown health risks associated with them. Bridger Ruyle, a key researcher and assistant professor of environmental engineering at NYU, questioned whether these compounds might be emerging PFAS variants overlooked by current regulations.

The repercussions of contamination are particularly pressing as water scarcity necessitates the reuse of treated wastewater, with much of the nation's drinking water sourced downstream from these facilities. Ruyle asserts, “If this wastewater isn’t properly diluted before it returns to the drinking supply, it poses a contamination threat.”

The study’s findings further complicate efforts to utilize treated sewage—integral for alleviating water shortages—especially as sludge from these treatments, also laden with PFAS, is commonly repurposed for agricultural fertilization.

This urgent issue highlights the essential need for enhanced regulations surrounding PFAS and the broader class of chemicals to safeguard public health and ensure the safe reuse of wastewater in a rapidly changing environmental landscape.

Hiroko Tabuchi specializes in environmental issues for the Times, and brings over two decades of journalistic experience from both Tokyo and New York.