TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The state government is investigating whether or not one of the capital city’s spray fields is spreading “forever chemicals” into Woodville and eventually, to Wakulla Springs.
This testing is exactly what advocates have been asking for. If they can prove these “forever chemicals,” called PFAS, are in our wastewater, then they can take steps to keep you safe.
PFAS are invisible, but they never go away. A former FAMU professor says just one drop of PFAS in ten Olympic sized swimming pools is too much.
“When I started, the level of concern was one part per million. Now we’re talking about a chemical that’s a thousand times more toxic than that,” said Dr. Donald Axelrad, retired Associate Professor of Environmental Health at FAMU.
The deputy secretary of Florida Department of Environmental Protection confirmed to Commissioner Jeremy Matlow that they are testing the City of Tallahassee’s wastewater spray field.
“So PFAS is getting to Wakulla Springs. The city funded a study 20 years ago, which showed that wastewater from the spray field did make its way to Wakulla Springs, and so we should be concerned about that ecosystem as well,” said Dr. Axelrad.
More Tallahassee news:
After wastewater is treated, it is spread on the spray field, known as the “Southeast Farm.” But right now, Dr. Axelrad says the city doesn’t filter for PFAS so, if the scientists’ hypothesis is correct, “forever chemicals” are flowing through the city’s system.
“So this is a very dangerous chemical and what makes it dangerous is that it stays in the environment for centuries,” said Dr. Ronald Saff, Member Physicians for Social Responsibility.
The scientists do not blame the city. They say few cities are screening out PFAS, though they expect expensive filters are on the horizon if DEP does confirm with sampling.
In an email provided by Matlow, the deputy secretary said both the DEP and the city would conduct ground and water sampling both Monday and Tuesday. That email doesn’t say when results might be made available.
To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Nextdoor and X (Twitter).
Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here. Please include the article’s headline in your message.
Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here to get started.
Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.