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A family from Prince Edward Island has initiated legal proceedings against the provincial government due to severe contamination of their well water, which has been found to contain alarming levels of toxic “forever chemicals.” This lawsuit is part of a broader trend across Canada, as more individuals become aware of the dangers posed by these substances, commonly found in household items and firefighting foams.
Alarming Discoveries
Doug and Roberta Jenkins, alongside their adult daughter Lindsay, reside on a 130-acre farm in Hazelbrook, located just ten kilometres east of Charlottetown. Until recently, they had little concern regarding the quality of their drinking water. However, everything changed on January 14, 2024, when provincial testing revealed that their well water contained 606.6 nanograms of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) per litre—twenty times the threshold deemed safe by Health Canada.
“The more we learned, the more nervous and terrified and annoyed we became,” Doug Jenkins expressed, reflecting on the overwhelming stress the findings have caused their family. Following the alarming test results, the provincial government advised them against consuming their well water and has since provided bottled water as a temporary solution.
The Legal Battle
The Jenkins family filed their lawsuit on May 27, 2025, seeking personal damages that could exceed £1 million for each plaintiff, in addition to compensation for property damage. They are also demanding the complete remediation of a nearby disposal site believed to be the origin of the contaminants.
Provincial spokesperson Morgan Martin stated that it would be inappropriate for the government to comment on ongoing legal matters. However, the Jenkinses remain hopeful that their case will shed light on the pressing issue of PFAS contamination, which has been linked to a variety of health concerns, including hormonal disruption and certain cancers.
A Growing Concern
The contamination issue is not unique to the Jenkinses. Across Canada, residents in various communities, particularly those situated near airports where PFAS-laden firefighting foams have been used for decades, are grappling with similar challenges. The province of Prince Edward Island only began a comprehensive PFAS testing programme in 2023, preparing for new Health Canada guidelines that are set to take effect in 2024.
The Jenkinses suspect that the contamination stems from a construction and demolition debris disposal site that operated approximately 150 metres from their home. This site, which has accepted a variety of industrial waste materials containing PFAS, was under provincial oversight after the government acquired it in 2012. Yet, the family claims the province has failed to respond adequately to their requests for assistance with health monitoring and site remediation.
Health Implications and Testing
In June 2025, the Jenkinses drove six hours to Bangor, Maine, to have their blood tested for PFAS at a private clinic. The results were alarming: Doug Jenkins registered 78.92 nanograms per millilitre, while his wife, Roberta, tested at 113.39 ng/mL. Following concerns about her initial result, Roberta underwent a second test, which yielded a similar reading of 110.46 ng/mL. Their daughter, Lindsay, had a lower but still concerning level of 37.98 ng/mL.
Research indicates that health risks associated with PFAS exposure escalate as blood levels exceed 20 ng/mL. Doug Jenkins has battled cancer twice, although establishing a direct link between his health issues and PFAS exposure remains an area of ongoing investigation.
The Broader Context
PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their resistance to environmental degradation, have been used in a variety of consumer products, including non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing. Their persistence in the environment has led to a significant increase in litigation, particularly in the United States, where manufacturers like DuPont and 3M have faced billions in settlements.
While Australia has recently lodged a $2 billion lawsuit against 3M over PFAS contamination linked to firefighting foams, Canada has seen slower progress in addressing these issues through the courts. To date, only one class-action lawsuit concerning PFAS has been certified in Canada.
The Jenkinses have also attempted to sell their family farm, which has been in their family for over four generations, but potential buyers have been deterred by the ongoing water contamination issue. Although the province has plans to install a pipeline from a clean well to Hazelbrook, the Jenkinses assert that this does not address the underlying problem of site remediation.
Why it Matters
The Jenkins family’s plight highlights a critical and growing public health issue surrounding contaminated drinking water in Canada. As awareness of PFAS and their potential health risks increases, the need for accountability and effective remediation strategies becomes ever more urgent. This legal battle serves not only as a personal struggle for the Jenkinses but also as a beacon for other affected communities, demanding action from governments to protect public health and the environment.
