Local water‑filter business asks county to use PFAS settlement funds for homeowner treatment assistance

Keith Murray, owner of Brunswick Water Filters, told commissioners the county should consider using a portion of the Kimura settlement funds to create a residential PFAS treatment assistance program that would help homeowners — particularly those on private wells or without immediate centralized treatment access — afford approved whole‑house filtration systems or point‑of‑use devices. Murray said his company is state‑approved to install systems and proposed a county‑run program that sets eligibility, standards and program rules while allowing qualified private providers to participate.

Murray emphasized that centralized treatment (the Northwest Treatment Plant) will help many residents, but thousands remain reliant on private wells or live in areas not immediately served by advanced filtration. He asked the board to consider program design that would preserve county control of funds and standards while directing tangible benefits to affected homeowners. The board acknowledged the proposal and did not take immediate action, but the suggestion was noted as input for settlement‑fund planning.