New efforts are underway to tackle the presence of PFAS, known as "forever chemicals," in Chico's drinking water. Cal Water crews have started installing new treatment systems in central parts of the city to address this issue. These systems are designed to filter out PFAS before reaching household taps. PFAS are man-made chemicals that can easily move through water, prompting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to tighten regulations. The setup includes massive steel vessels filled with granular activated carbon, similar to materials used in Brita filters. This carbon acts like a magnet, capturing PFAS and preventing them from contaminating the water supply. District Manager Evan Markey says the project has a $40 million price tag, with partial funding from a class-action lawsuit against companies like DuPont and 3M. Construction is expected to be completed at all 14 filter sites by the end of 2026.