You may have heard about PFAS lately but aren’t sure exactly what they are. PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Simply put, it’s a common term for a group of human-made chemicals found in everyday products, from food packaging and cookware to clothing, ski wax, cosmetics and firefighting foam.
PFAS have been in use since the 1940s. Because they don’t break down easily, these compounds find their way into wastewater and industrial byproducts and, eventually, the environment. That means they can be found in drinking water sources.
PFAS have been categorized as unregulated contaminants by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for many years, with health advisory limits attached to a handful. On April 10, 2024, the EPA announced the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS. There are now legally enforceable levels, called Maximum Contaminant Levels or MCLs, for these compounds in drinking water, ranging from 4 parts per trillion (ppt) to 10 ppt.
Previously, there were no MCLs in place for PFAS compounds, but there were health advisory limits for PFOA and PFOS.
We voluntarily tested for 29 PFAS compounds, including the six compounds in the new regulation, at our water treatment facilities in 2023. Our data meets the new regulatory MCLs.
We are participating in expanded testing for 29 different PFAS compounds under the EPA’s fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5). All drinking water providers in the country are required to test treated drinking water for these compounds* between 2023-2025. The findings will help the EPA better understand how often these substances are found in the nation’s drinking water systems, and at what levels.
Because PFAS have been used in consumer products for decades, they are expected to be detected in many waters moving forward, especially as detection technology improves and sampling and testing expands to include more compounds. A more detailed picture is beginning to emerge, which will help inform future solutions.
We take water quality very seriously and continually meet or exceed regulations and permit requirements. The hundreds of tests we conduct each month ensure we deliver safe, quality drinking water to your tap. We want you to feel confident about the quality of your water and that we are meeting all requirements for PFAS testing. We encourage you to read our annual water quality reports to learn more about what we monitor in your drinking water.
*There are 30 unregulated contaminants included in UCMR 5; 29 are PFAS and the other is lithium.