FACTS ABOUT PFAS: COMMUNITY SYSTEMS
Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Overview and Current Activities
PFAS are a group of over 6,000 man-made chemicals that have been manufactured and used in home consumer products such as carpets, clothing, food packaging, and cookware since the 1940s. Two of these compounds—Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)—which are both widely produced and used forms of PFAS, have been the most extensively produced and studied, and there is evidence that exposure to elevated levels of PFAS can lead to adverse health outcomes in humans.
Water utilities are “passive receivers” of PFAS. They do not produce or manufacture PFAS. Instead, these chemicals may be present in source waters that are treated to produce drinking water. Additionally, our region is collaborating to identify manufacturing and industrial facilities that may be contributors of PFAS to area source waters.
Regulations for PFAS
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for setting regulatory limits under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
The EPA has taken these steps:
What do Loudoun Water’s Community Systems PFAS Analysis & Results show?
Loudoun Water participated in voluntary PFAS sampling events for our drinking water Community Systems throughout 2021-2023, both as an independent utility, and in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). Below is a summary of the range measured during these sampling events:
Community Systems Summary:
- All drinking water from Loudoun Water is below the proposed PFAS regulatory limits.
- In rare instances, low levels of PFAS were detected for select compounds. However, these compounds were detected at levels below the proposed PFAS regulatory limits.
- Loudoun Water has stopped using the well in Beacon Hill that caused a single sample result of 5 ppt for PFOA. Follow-up sampling in Beacon Hill has confirmed that levels in all drinking water are below the proposed regulatory levels. This well remains available and will only be used during emergencies.
Loudoun Water’s Next Steps for Community Systems
- We are following the guidance of EPA and VDH Office of Drinking Water
- We will also be collecting PFAS samples to support understanding and regulatory development.
- We await further guidance and will take action if necessary to meet future state and federal regulations when they are established.
- We are collaborating with our regional and national partners to further learn and adapt to how we can monitor and address PFAS to ensure public health and safe drinking water.
- We are leading regional research projects to identify and prevent PFAS pollution in waters, while keeping up with the industry-leading trends and technology to mitigate potential PFAS contamination.
- We will execute capital upgrade projects as required to ensure continued full compliance with all regulations.
Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Occurrence Study
Two bills passed in Virginia in 2020 (HB 586 and HB 1257) direct the VDH Office of Drinking Water (ODW) to study the occurrence, health effects, and treatability of PFAS compounds in public drinking water, and to adopt Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for several of those compounds. In 2021, ODW collected and analyzed samples in source water and finished water at the 17 largest waterworks (including Loudoun Water) across the state. Results are available on the VDH website here.
Reducing Your Exposure to PFAS
- Support efforts to protect drinking water sources and keep PFAS out of water supplies.
- Cook with stainless steel, cast-iron, glass, or ceramics. Don’t use nonstick cookware.
- Read ingredient lists and choose products without PTFE or perfluoro- or polyfluor-.
- Look for coats, hats, and boots labeled water-resistant. They’re less likely to have PFAS than waterproof products.
- Make popcorn on the stove or in an air popper instead of microwave bags.
- Steer clear of ordering food in grease-resistant wrappers or containers.
- Avoid carpets and upholstery treated to be stain or water-resistant; decline stain treatment.
- Ask manufacturers if their products contain PFAS. These chemicals are often not listed.
Additional Information
- EPA’s PFAS Information: https://www.epa.gov/pfas
- EPA’s Questions and Answers: Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFOA, PFOS, GenX Chemicals and PFBS: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/questions-and-answers-drinking-water-health-advisories-pfoa-pfos-genx-chemicals-and-pfbs#q9
- Virginia Department of Health: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/drinking-water/pfas/
- Center for Disease Control (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/PFAS_FactSheet.html
- American Water Works Association (AWWA): https://drinktap.org/Water-Info/Whats-in-My-Water/Per-and-Polyfluoroalkyl-Substances