Contamination of Tap Water Sources in Tama Area of Tokyo with PFAS: 40 Wells Suspended

In the Tama area of ​​Tokyo, well water from tap water sources has been contaminated with PFAS, a suspected carcinogen. I found out by interviewing the waterworks bureau. In the Tama area, the number of tap water source wells that have stopped drawing water has expanded to a total of 40 locations.

Water intake was newly suspended from 6 wells at the Saiwaicho water supply station (2 Saiwaicho, Fuchu City). Since 2016, water intake has been suspended due to renovation work. In August and September of last year, the Tokyo Metropolitan Waterworks Bureau investigated the concentration of PFAS in well water and detected a maximum of 280 nanograms per liter. Due to the risk of exceeding the government’s provisional target of 50 nanograms in tap water, it decided to continue to suspend water intake after construction was completed in March this year.

According to the Bureau of Waterworks, there are 278 wells in the Tama area that are used as water sources. From 2019 to 2021, 34 wells in seven cities stopped drawing water due to PFAS contamination, and there is no prospect of reopening. (Kyota Matsushima)