Tiverton residents who live around Crandall Road and Bolduc Lane and own private wells are being advised of potential risks to their drinking water after the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management recently detected PFAS chemicals in water wells in the area.

PFAS are man-made chemicals found in everyday products including nonstick cookware and food packaging. Because they do not break down easily in the human body or in nature, they have been linked to potential health risks, including certain types of cancer. Earlier this year, the Rhode Island House of Representatives passed a bill that would ban firefighter equipment containing these “forever chemicals.”

Town administrator Patrick Jones said Monday that the Crandall Road problems began in May, when the DEM came with the Department of Health to test the well at the Victory Church at 91 Crandall Road, as it is a public water source. When the PFAS levels came back elevated, they recommended that other people in the area get their wells tested.

The test, part of a larger statewide grant to measure PFAS levels in drinking water, found several private wells exceeding acceptable limits.

A virtual conference call was held on July 1 between the DEM and town officials to outline next steps regarding the PFAS levels. As a result, town officials are asking all residents with private wells in the area of Crandall Road, near Tiverton Fire Station 3, to contact the Rhode Island DEM to schedule a free PFAS test. This includes Crandall Road and associated side roads between Bulgarmarsh Road and Pershing Avenue; Bulgarmarsh Road and associated side roads between Indian Hill Road and Luke Drive; and Stafford Road between Bulgarmarsh Road and Bliss Four Corners Congregational Church. In addition, properties serviced by the North Tiverton Fire District are not at risk.

Jones noted that test results can take up to three weeks to get back, and meanwhile the town is trying to come up with solutions for residents.

“We are going to create a public water source at (fire department) Station 3 with an outside spigot,” Jones said. “Any resident that is impacted can fill buckets of drinking water for free.”

Residents in the area are asked to contact Kirsten Nunn, Environmental Engineer IV, Office of Land Revitalization and Sustainable Material Management, at Kirsten.Nunn@dem.ri.gov or (401) 537-4357.