CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, in partnership with the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services, and other local organizations, will host a series of community meetings in the Northern Panhandle to help identify potential sources of PFAS contamination in public drinking water systems.

PFAS, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are widely used in stain-resistant, waterproof, and non-stick products and are known to persist in the environment. Current research indicates that exposure to some PFAS may lead to negative health outcomes.

Meetings in the area, all of which will begin at 6 p.m. have been scheduled for:

Nov. 17 at the Follansbee Community House and focused on the Follansbee Municipal Water System;

Nov. 18 at the Chester City Building’s Multi-Purpose Room and focused on the Chester Water Department;

Nov. 19 at the Holiday Inn Weirton-Steubenville Area in the Washington and Jefferson Rooms and focused on the Weirton Area Water Board.

The meetings, which are open to the public, will provide residents with information about PFAS, answer questions, and gather community input to help identify potential sources. This feedback will guide WVDEP in developing PFAS Action Plans for each affected water system in the region, as required under the PFAS Protection Act (HB 3189).

The law directs WVDEP to identify and address PFAS sources in raw-water supplies through the creation of action plans and by strengthening reporting requirements for certain facilities.

The WVDEP’s partnership with the West Virginia Rivers Coalition is supported by a $1 million Government-to-Government grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

More information is available on the WVDEP website and https://www.wvrivers.org/PFAS.