As a lifelong resident of Harford County with deep roots in Aberdeen, I was deeply concerned when I read the recent article about the water contamination issues at Harford Technical High School and Fallston High School. The presence of PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” in our schools’ water supply is alarming and serves as a sobering reminder of the broader environmental challenges facing Harford County.

For years, our community in Perryman has been fighting against unchecked industrial development, with much of our concern centered on the Perryman wellfield. Over the past decade, more than 10 million square feet of industrial development has been added to the Perryman Peninsula, where the wellfield is located, further stressing our environmental resources. This critical source of drinking water, which supplies 30% of Harford County’s residents, is under threat from contaminants originating from Aberdeen Proving Ground and outdated studies that fail to reflect current conditions.

The studies in question include the Perryman Wellfield Study, last updated in 2000, the Bush River Watershed Characterization, last revised in 2002, and the 1997 Hydrogeology Report that documented significant contamination risks, including elevated levels of nitrate and trichloroethene in the water supply. These studies are now over two decades old, yet they continue to serve as the basis for decisions about water safety and land use. Given the changes in environmental conditions and industrial activities over the past 20 years, it is imperative that these studies be redone to ensure the safety of our water supply.

Despite assurances from the county executive in December 2023 that a new study of the Perryman wellfield had been authorized, we have yet to see any evidence that this study is moving forward. The absence of updated, independent studies is particularly concerning given the documented health risks associated with PFAS exposure, including an increased risk of cancer.

Harford County currently ranks first in Maryland for breast cancer rates among women, according to the state health department, and the Perryman area has some of the highest rates of cancer in the county. It is past time for our county to take seriously the potential link between these alarming health statistics and the quality of our water. The Environmental Protection Agency’s new regulations on PFAS provide a clear mandate: we must act now to protect our water and, by extension, our health.

The students at Harford Technical High School and Fallston High School should not have to bring bottled water to school to avoid exposure to toxic chemicals. Likewise, 30% of Harford County residents, including those in Perryman, should not have to worry about contaminated drinking water. The entire county is at risk, and it’s crucial that we act to protect our children and our communities before more harm is done.

Ron Stuchinski
Perryman