Drinking water in Weston is being shut off in schools and town-owned buildings following the discovery of "forever chemicals," town officials say.

Forever chemicals, also known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS, include thousands of man-made chemicals that do not break down in the environment naturally, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Some environmental groups claim that PFAS can build up in the body over time and have been linked to cancer, reproductive and immune system harm as well as other diseases.

Officials say the move is cautionary and that the water tested in Weston still meets quality government standards.

Meanwhile, the town is providing bottles of water and designing a filtration system.

A public meeting on the issue will be held on March 28 at 7 p.m.