ENVIRONMENT
‘A ticking time bomb’ in Tiverton. More PFAS-tainted wells found
Alex KuffnerProvidence Journal
Aug. 15, 2026, 5:05 a.m. ET
- Dozens of residential wells in Tiverton, Rhode Island, have been found to be contaminated with unsafe levels of PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.”
- Health officials state that prolonged exposure to PFAS is linked to increased risks for cancer, immune problems and other harmful health conditions.
- Residents with contaminated wells are advised to stop drinking the water but are told showering is safe, as the chemicals are not easily absorbed through the skin.
They talked about cancer, digestive problems and skin irritation
Tiverton residents whose wells have been contaminated with forever chemicals raised a litany of fears about exposure to the tainted water at a recent community forum with state and town officials
“It’s a ticking time bomb for people’s health,” Otocki Lane resident Peter Walsh said
The chemicals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have been found at unsafe levels in dozens of residential wells in the neighborhoods south of Bulgarmarsh Road on either side of Crandall Road over the last two months
Number of contaminated wells increases again
The Department of Environmental Management started sampling water in the area near the Massachusetts state line in May as part of a state program to check private wells for PFAS in sites believed to be at risk for contamination
The Crandall Road area was selected because of its proximity to a fire station operated by the Tiverton Fire Department. For decades, firefighting foams were made with PFAS because they were effective in extinguishing petroleum fires. The chemicals have also been used to repel water and grease in cookware, carpeting and other consumer products
According to the latest DEM figures on Friday, Aug. 14, another six wells in the area have been found to have PFAS levels above the state drinking water standard of 20 parts per trillion, bringing the total number of contaminated wells to 40
Those wells are among 68 for which the DEM has gotten results. Samples from another 45 wells were still being analyzed as of Aug. 14
Some of the new results from homes on Stafford Road and Indian Hill Road are only slightly above the state standard, suggesting that the DEM may be getting close to the northern and eastern borders of contamination. The agency is now moving testing further north to Frazier Lane and east to the Massachusetts border
Forever chemicals are associated with health problems
Residents’ concerns over negative health impacts are well-founded. Scientists say prolonged exposure to forever chemicals increases the risks of developing a host of harmful conditions
But state officials say that there’s also been some confusion about the potential effects of PFAS and how people can be exposed to them
The Journal talked to Zachary Shepard, principal toxicologist with the Rhode Island Department of Health, for more information
Showering in contaminated water
One of the worries that residents have repeatedly brought up is that they may be exposed to PFAS through showering. While the health department has told people to stop drinking from contaminated wells, the agency has made no prohibition on showering
Shepard said that’s because of the unique structure of PFAS compounds, which are made up of long chains of atoms. Their size is part of the reason why they persist in the environment, hence the “forever” name, and it also makes them difficult to be absorbed through the skin during showering or bathing
Some townspeople have pointed to a scientific study that shows absorption is possible, but Shepard said experiments showed that it happened after applying high concentrations to the skin and keeping them there for more than a day
“The study doesn’t mimic real-world conditions,” Shepard said
What are some of the health concerns?
Scientific research has shown that PFAS compounds increase the risks for higher cholesterol, lower infant birth weights, immune problems and kidney, liver and testicular cancers, among other health impacts
Those risks increase with exposure, usually over the longer term
“Unfortunately, it’s really difficult to get more specific, because it depends on the concentration that you’re exposed to,” Shepard said. “The health impacts have a lot of other risk factors associated with them as well.”
Who’s most at risk?
Children are at heightened risk because they’re still developing. Their bodies are also smaller, so lower amounts of PFAS can have a greater effect on them
Immunocompromised individuals are also at greater risk, since PFAS can further interfere with the immune system. And pregnant women are of special concern because the chemicals can increase blood pressure and reduce growth of the unborn child
Should you get a blood test?
There is a blood test people can take if they’re worried about PFAS levels in their body. The health department recommends consulting a medical provider before doing a test, and then coming up with a plan afterward to use the results to improve health
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has an online tool that estimates blood levels based on drinking water concentrations. A link to the tool can be found at atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas
What to do if your well is contaminated
Consuming PFAS through water and food are the majortaminated well
Boiling water doesn’t destroy the chemicals and will actually make the problem worse by concentrating them. Typical household water filters also do not remove PFAS
The Tiverton Town Council has allocated money to pay for bottled water for residents. Over the longer term, the DEM is installing special filters at homes with contaminated wells. Work to connect parts of the affected area to a public water system is also being studied
State and federal PFAS standards
People may be confused by changes in state and federal rules governing PFAS in drinking water
The chemicals are considered “emerging contaminants” because they’ve only started being regulated relatively recently as researchers have learned more about their dangers. Standards can also vary from state to state
Shepard said that adjustments are being made for good reason
“As the state of the science evolves, we’re going to have to evolve with it,” he said. “The numbers may change because of that.”
