Residents in Chillicothe, Illinois, are demanding answers after elevated levels of PFAS — the toxic "forever chemicals" that can linger in water and the human body — were found in one of the city's drinking water wells.
The concern is not just about what was found. Residents are also upset about how they say they were notified.
Here's what to know
After testing in August found elevated PFAS levels in a city well, Chillicothe Mayor Michael Hughes said, as reported by the Peoria Journal Star, that the city's communication with residents was inadequate.
He made that acknowledgment during a tense public works committee meeting, where residents said posting a link to the state's notice online was not an adequate way to alert the public.
In a letter sent by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to Public Works Director Shawn Sutherland, the agency said, as the outlet reported, customers were to be notified within five business days by first-class mail, email, text message or phone call. But Denise Passage, the city's office and finance manager, said the city chose a faster option: placing a link to the letter on its website, making copies available at City Hall and referencing it on water bills.
People at the meeting said that approach could miss residents who lack reliable internet access or are unlikely to see the notice.
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Resident Michelle Brian told officials, as the Peoria Journal Star reported: "Because the link-only approach did not effectively communicate required public health information, the Illinois EPA will be updating its guidance to ensure future notifications provide residents with clear, accessible copies of the full public health notice rather than relying on online access."
Residents were also troubled by the test results themselves. Sutherland said the Chestnut Street well measured PFOS at 33 parts per trillion and PFHxS at 40 parts per trillion. Illinois groundwater standards, according to the Peoria Journal Star, are four parts per trillion for PFOS and 10 parts per trillion for PFHxS.
More background
PFAS are often referred to as "forever chemicals" because they do not break down in the environment.
Speaking to the Peoria Journal Star, resident Nicki Seckler said she suffered a mini-stroke and was later diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease, leading her to question whether the city's water could have been a factor.
"It causes hormone issues, autoimmune suppression," Seckler said. "I was diagnosed this year. The test was done in April. You can't see why I'm pissed off?"
Residents' anger remained centered on transparency and accountability, even though Sutherland said the IEPA had not said the water was unsafe to drink, according to the Peoria Journal Star.
What's being done?
The city is waiting for results from a second sample before deciding how to proceed with the water system, according to the Peoria Journal Star.
Sutherland said, as the outlet reported, that the city will continue to monitor the situation and has not yet received formal direction from the IEPA on treatment.
"The city will continue to monitor according to the EPA guidelines," Sutherland said. "The city has not received any notification from the EPA regarding official next steps. Basically, the EPA has not guided us on what to do as far as to treat PFAS."
Until then, Sutherland said residents can choose to filter their water if they feel it is necessary, according to the Peoria Journal Star.
Brian said she had urged the city to send a letter or postcard, while resident Anne Contratto called for a written communication system that reaches all residents, not only those who happen to check a website.
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