Southern New Hampshire’s PFAS water contamination situation is getting attention from the Presidential candidates and the national news. We’ve already had several candidates visit Merrimack to hold PFAS discussions with the communities. As more and more attention comes to southern New Hampshire due to PFAS, you’re going to see people try to take advantage of the situation.

Online petitions –

Be careful before you add your name to an online petition. Most agencies don’t take them seriously as it’s difficult if not impossible to validate that the signer is real. More often than not, these petitions are used to generate email lists which brings me to the next point.

Donations –

The emails from online petitions are often sent or sold to others who will request donations. This happened to me when I added my name to an environmental Law group. Now I frequently get emails asking me to “Donate now to help us clean the water.” If you want to donate go ahead, but first ask how your money would be used.

Contacting Reps and Senators –

You don’t need to go through an application to let your Representative or Senator how you feel about PFAS or any other issue for that matter.

If you want to contact your elected officials, go to http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us and on the left column click on Representative or Senator. Click on Members on the House page or Senate Roster on the Senate page. A list will pop up identifying the officials and their email. Use that email to contact them directly.

Filtration systems –

As more and more people learn about PFAS in our water, they are looking into filtration systems for their homes. Not all filters work for PFAS. If it sounds like a great deal, it may not be. Ask leaders in the PFAS community about which systems work and which don’t (example – Brita water filters do not protect you from PFAS.) As we all go forward in this PFAS journey, please keep your eyes open and your wits about you.