Important Information regarding PFOA and PFOS

Important Information regarding PFOA and PFOS

PFAS are a large class of man-made synthetic chemicals that were created in the 1930s and 1940s for use in many industrial and manufacturing applications. PFAS have been widely used for their unique properties that make products repel water, grease and stains, reduce friction and resist heat. Because of their unique chemical structure, PFAS readily dissolve in water and are mobile, are highly persistent in the environment and bioaccumulate in living organisms over time. PFAS are referred to as “forever chemicals,” because they do not readily break down when exposed to air, water, or sunlight. The primary means of distribution of PFAS throughout the environment has been through the air, water, biosolids, food, landfill leachate and fire-fighting activities. Exposure to these chemicals are known to cause a number of adverse health effects in laboratory animals and in humans. Exposure can occur when fish caught in waters contaminated with PFAS are eaten, foods packaged in PFAS coated materials are consumed, soil and dust polluted with PFAS are unintentionally ingested, or products made with PFAS chemicals are handled.

On January 14, 2023 the PFAS MCL Rule was published, setting maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water.  The rule sets an MCL of 14 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and an MCL of 18 ppt for PFOS.  Although the rule applies to all public water systems (PWSs) in the Commonwealth; , monitoring requirements under the rule are applicable to community water systems (CWSs), nontransient noncommunity water systems (NTNCWS), and bottled, vended, retail, and bulk systems (BVRBs). Initial monitoring is required quarterly for four (4) consecutive calendar quarters at each entry point (EP) to the distribution system, beginning January 1, 2024 for PWSs serving more than 350 persons and for BVRBs, and January 1, 2025 for CWS and NTNCWS serving 350 or fewer persons. Repeat monitoring is quarterly, annual, or triennial, based on whether analytical results are detected and at what level. Compliance with the MCLs is determined based on a running annual average (RAA) at each EP; if any quarterly result causes the RAA to exceed an MCL, a violation is incurred for that quarter.

For more information on the PFAS MCL Rule, please click on the links below:

https://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/My-Water/drinking_water/PFAS/Pages/DEP-Involvement.aspx

https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/BureauSafeDrinkingWater/DrinkingWaterMgmt/Regulations/Pages/PFAS-MCL-Rule.aspx

Perkasie Regional Authority (PRA) initially sampled for PFOA and PFOS back in 2013 as part of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring.  At that time, the results were returned with non-detectable levels.  These non-detectable level results were a result of the testing (at that time) only being able to detect to 20 parts per trillion (ppt).  To put parts per trillion into perspective, one grain of sand in an Olympic sized swimming pool would be 1 part per trillion.

PRA then subsequently sampled again in 2016 when the sampling results were able to detect to 2 ppt.  The sample results from 2016 are below:

As part of the PFAS MCL Rule, PRA is required to sample quarterly, starting in January 2024, for PFOA and PFOS.  The first quarterly results for 2024 are below:

The second quarterly results for 2024 are below:

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding your drinking water, please contact the Perkasie Regional Authority office staff at 215-257-3654.