Borgio Verezzi Faces Drinking Water Crisis Due to High PFAS Contamination

The town of Borgio Verezzi, located in Italy's Savona province, is currently grappling with a severe water contamination crisis after tests revealed alarmingly high concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the municipal water supply. Since late September, local authorities have issued an urgent ordinance prohibiting the use of tap water for drinking, cooking, or food preparation. The contamination, which has affected thousands of residents, is expected to persist until at least the spring of 2026.

The discovery was made following the implementation of new, stricter national regulations regarding drinking water quality. Analysis of the "Maria Luisa" well, which serves the entire municipality, identified PFAS levels significantly exceeding legal limits. According to local reports, some measurements showed concentrations of PFOA—a substance classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer—at levels up to 6,400 percent higher than the maximum allowed threshold of 20 nanograms per liter. Other reports indicate that the total sum of critical PFAS compounds reached levels approximately 240 times higher than the European Union's safety guidelines.

Borgio Verezzi Mayor Renato Dacquino expressed his shock at the findings, noting that the community had never previously faced such an emergency. In response, the local government, in coordination with the civil protection agency, established several distribution points throughout the town where residents, business owners, and healthcare facilities can obtain clean water from tankers. The situation has caused significant disruption to daily life, with many residents expressing deep concern over the long-term health implications of the exposure.

Addressing the crisis requires a complex engineering solution. The proposed plan involves the installation of large-scale activated carbon filtration systems at the wells on the left bank of the Bottassano stream. This infrastructure project, estimated to cost several hundred thousand euros, is necessary to treat the water before it can be deemed safe for human consumption again. Officials have indicated that while the project is moving forward, the logistical requirements for installing the heavy equipment mean that the restrictions will likely remain in place for several months.

The contamination has extended beyond Borgio Verezzi, impacting parts of neighboring municipalities including Pietra Ligure and Villanova d’Albenga. While local authorities and the water utility, Servizi Ambientali, are working to resolve the issue, questions remain regarding the source of the pollutants. Some residents and officials have pointed to the potential historical impact of nearby landfills, though investigations are ongoing. The Savona Prosecutor's Office has officially opened an inquiry into the matter to determine the origins of the contamination and identify any potential responsibilities.

Local leaders are also seeking support from regional and national health authorities to monitor the population's health. Mayor Dacquino has requested that the regional health department initiate a long-term health surveillance program for the affected residents. As the community prepares for the upcoming months without reliable tap water, the focus remains on securing a permanent solution to restore safe water access and ensuring that the public is protected from further exposure to these persistent chemicals.