Forever Chemicals In Your Water? Maryland’s 2026 Session Could Decide What Happens Next

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — As Maryland prepares to reconvene the General Assembly in early 2026, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly called PFAS or “forever chemicals,” remain a top concern for lawmakers, environmental advocates and public health officials across the state. PFAS are long-lasting synthetic chemicals found in firefighting foams, food packaging, textiles and industrial products, and studies by state and federal health agencies have linked certain compounds to cancer, immune system damage, endocrine disruption and adverse effects on fetal development.

Contamination concerns in Maryland have moved beyond isolated incidents to documented problems in drinking water supplies and local wells. The Maryland Department of the Environment began proactive testing in school well water in 2024 and identified 29 schools with PFAS levels above federal limits, according to agency data, exposing students and staff to potentially unsafe water. “Keep in mind that PFAS can be harmful at very low levels … resulting in certain forms of cancer,” said D. Lee Currey, director of the department’s Water and Science Administration, underscoring the urgency of monitoring and mitigation efforts.

Local governments have also taken action. In June 2025, the Maryland Board of Public Works approved nearly $19.5 million to install PFAS filtering infrastructure in Hampstead’s drinking water system after years of detecting unsafe levels. Hampstead Mayor Christopher Nevins emphasized the community’s readiness to begin construction to protect public health.

State officials are pushing for stronger regulation. Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 15 other state attorneys general in December 2025 to oppose proposed rollbacks to PFAS reporting requirements by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, warning that weakening chemical data disclosure would “undermine states’ efforts to protect human health and the environment.” Earlier in 2025, Brown joined a multistate legal effort defending the EPA’s first nationwide drinking water standards for PFAS, calling the federal protections essential to “safeguard the health of not only our generation but also our children and grandchildren.”

Brown is also pursuing litigation against companies accused of contaminating Maryland’s drinking water. At a February press conference, he said the state is seeking “a very large number” from W.L. Gore & Associates to remediate contamination and address future public health costs.

In Annapolis, PFAS policy proposals are already circulating. One Senate bill seeks to ban certain PFAS chemicals in pesticides and phase them out over time, reflecting growing concern about environmental exposure. Del. Sheila Ruth, sponsor of the bill, told local media that the measure is designed to protect all Marylanders, not just farmers. However, some landscaping professionals warn that overly broad bans could reduce pest control options, highlighting the legislative challenges of balancing public health and economic considerations.

Public health advocates emphasize that PFAS contamination disproportionately impacts rural and lower-income communities relying on private wells, as well as children in schools near industrial sites. Scientific testimony before state advisory councils has cited research indicating that certain PFAS compounds can transfer from mother to fetus and through breast milk, increasing concern for infants and pregnant women. Advocates warn that each year without stronger limits and funding mechanisms leaves Marylanders vulnerable to chemical exposures that research has associated with long-term health risks.

As lawmakers prepare for the January session, the scope of PFAS regulation — from enforceable drinking water standards to industry reporting, cleanup funding and chemical bans — is shaping up to be one of the session’s most consequential debates. For residents across Maryland, particularly in counties with documented contamination, the outcome could have lasting implications for drinking water safety, environmental cleanup and public health protection.

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