Michael Ryan is reporting in the Windham Journal the town of Prattsville is seeking a fresh water source and has hired a hydrogeologist to lead the search. The town recently retained the services of Hanson Van Vleet LLC, of Clifton Park. The firm will be paid $14,000 to identify target areas, evaluate existing water quality issues and to assist in recruiting a driller, if a new well location is found. Work on the three-phase project will begin this week. In other water-related news, Gail Heinsohn is reporting in the Chatham Courier Chatham officials recently had the water there tested for PFOA, the toxic substance found in the water of two local communities. According to town supervisor Maria Lull, the water in Chatham is tested regularly, but not for PFOA. The town board in March authorized the special testing. Samples taken at Crellin Park, town hall and the highway department all came back negative. PFOA is used in the process of making Teflon. It was found in the water in Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh, both communities located in Rensselaer County, earlier this year.