Kehl (dpa / lsw) - So-called eternal chemicals PFAS have been detected in the groundwater in the Kehl area. In the two reserve wells for the drinking water supply, a PFAS content was detected that exceeds future limit values, the city announced. It is not yet known where the chemicals in the groundwater come from.
The substances, which are widely used by industry, are the subject of intense debate because, according to a proposal, they are to be largely banned in the EU. According to estimates, this involves a total of more than 10,000 individual substances. The extremely stable chemicals, which do not occur naturally, can accumulate in the environment. According to the Federal Environment Agency, many places contaminated with PFAS - which stands for per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds - are still unknown.
"The quality of the drinking water was and is guaranteed at all times," said Bodo Kopp, head of the technical services in Kehl (Ortenaukreis), according to a statement. However, one must take care of new reserve wells. These have to secure the water supply in case the pumps in the main well should fail.
The new limit values will apply after a new version of the Drinking Water Ordinance from 2026 or 2028, as the city of Kehl further reported. The water from the main well already complies with the future limit values.
