High levels of 'forever chemicals' found in wells of 9 Hazelbrook homes
Federal government is making moves to add PFAS chemicals to toxic substances list
The provincial government is supplying nine households in Hazelbrook, P.E.I., with bottled water after the wells belonging to them tested significantly above interim Health Canada benchmarks for a class of chemicals known as PFAS.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS are man-made chemicals used for their water- and heat-resistant properties.
The so-called "forever chemicals" are widely used in everyday products such as packaging and cosmetics, as well as in industrial products like firefighting foam, furniture and construction materials.
Health Canada has set a benchmark of 30 nanograms per litre for 25 specific PFAS in drinking water, as a precautionary measure aimed at showing what a safe level of risk to health might look like.
But multiple wells around Hazelbrook in central P.E.I. showed PFAS levels in the hundreds, including two that tested at over 700 nanograms per litre.
For the last six months, Hazelbrook resident Donnie Gallant has been drinking out of water jugs the province has provided him, saying: "It's a precaution right now."
Gallant said his water has been tested multiple times and he believes it's safe, but there's no timeline for when he will be able to drink from the tap again.
"I don't really know. They were supposed to put a different system in. I don't know when and I don't know how long it's supposed to be."
In a statement to CBC News, the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action said it costs about $1,200 per month to supply bottled water to the affected homes in Hazelbrook.
Gallant said workers who tested his water told him it's possible an abandoned dump nearby is to blame. A construction and demolition site in the community was decommissioned over a decade ago and the property is now owned by the province.
Groundwater samples taken around the site show PFAS levels measuring over 2,000 nanograms per litre.
"Preliminary review suggests that there may be some linkage to the existing construction and demolition site in the area," the province said.
'It kind of makes me nervous'
Simon Micklethwaite has also heard from workers that the decommissioned site might be behind the contaminated water in his community. His well has been tested multiple times, but he's been told it's still okay to drink from the tap.
"Whether it's safe or not, I've been drinking it for 10 years, so what difference is it going to make now?" he said.
But Micklethwaite does want more answers.
"I've got a lot of medical issues myself, and whether or not any of this is from the water, I have no idea — but it kind of makes me nervous," he said.
In its State of PFAS report, the federal government says exposure to the chemicals can affect multiple aspects of health, including in the liver, kidneys, immune system, reproductive system and nervous system.
Effects on most of those systems have been observed in both animal and human studies.
Last month, Ottawa said it will not ban any new PFAS, but intends to start a process to restrict them in the future. The federal government has opened a consultation period that's required before it can add PFAS to the national toxic substances list.
Hazelbrook is not alone
Hazelbrook isn't the only area on P.E.I. with elevated levels of PFAS. Data from a Drinking Water Dashboard with information on PFAS created by the province shows multiple areas with tests showing levels above the Health Canada benchmark. Introductory text on the site is dated April 9, 2025.
In western P.E.I., the province says water filters have been provided to residents of Slemon Park, a former airfield where testing showed levels of PFAS as high as 75 nanograms per litre. The province says regular testing at the community's three wells show the filters are removing PFAS from the water.
The department is currently assessing long-term water treatment options for the area.— Provincial statement on Hazelbrook results
Engineers are looking at possible long-term solutions that include building new wells or connecting Slemon Park buildings to Summerside's water system.
The province has also put treatment systems in place at Ellerslie Elementary School and Vernon River Consolidated School to treat PFAS. Both schools are now testing at levels below the Health Canada objective.
The website also includes the results of groundwater samples taken at other active and former landfill sites. PFAS levels at the East Prince Waste Management Facility, former Queen's County Regional Landfill and former King's County Regional Landfill are significantly above Health Canada's objective.
Provincial assessing treatment options
As for Hazelbrook, the province says Environment Department staff have collected several water samples in the community and will do more on an "as needed" basis.
"Department staff have met with the local community council and all impacted residents regarding the issue," a spokesperson said in an e-mailed statement. "The department is currently assessing long-term water treatment options for the area."
The Rural Municipality of Hazelbrook's mayor and councillors declined to comment on the issue.
P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Office said in a statement that Health Canada is working on future guidelines for PFAS, and that it's best to keep PFAS levels in drinking water to small amounts.
The statement also said Health Canada approves showering, washing dishes or doing laundry with water that contains PFAS.
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