Flathead Lake Biological Station scientists detect ‘forever chemicals’ in Flathead Lake watershed

By: Micah Drew

Outlets: Daily Montanan

Published: July 28, 2026

Words: 696

Last Updated: 5 days, 22 hours ago

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Jim Elser, director of the Flathead Lake Biological Station, was hoping that a sweep of tests done last fall in the Flathead Basin would show no presence of so-called “forever chemicals” in the surface water surrounding the largest lake in the West.

But the preliminary tests done around the lake and influent streams showed quantifiable detections of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, as well as pharmaceuticals and personal care products.

“We were …

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