Greater Cincinnati Water Work’s top priority is providing safe and healthy drinking water that meets all regulatory standards. This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed regulatory standards for six PFAS compounds.

PFAS are manufactured chemicals that do not naturally occur. If finalized, the EPA would individually regulate the “maximum allowed level” of two compounds (PFOA and PFOS) in drinking water. Also, it would regulate four other PFAS compounds with a new “hazard index” to evaluate health risks from mixtures of chemicals.

The EPA is currently taking public input and may make changes before it finalizes this regulation.  Any new standards would not take effect for several years, but we want the community to understand what we’re doing now to protect our water quality.

What are PFAS compounds?

PFAS stands for perfluoralkyl and polyfluoralkyl substances. They are a group of chemicals that have been used in consumer products since the 1940s, usually in non-stick coatings, fire-proof clothing, carpet, and food wrappers.

Most exposure to PFAS compounds – more than 80% -- comes from consumer goods and not drinking water.

The compounds typically do not break down under normal environmental conditions, which has earned them the nickname of “forever chemicals.” Because of their widespread use, microscopic traces of the compounds are commonly found in drinking water and in the bloodstream of most people.

What Do the Proposed Standards Mean?

Creating new drinking water regulations is often a lengthy process. In science, there is no such thing as absolute zero, so research is important to determine an acceptable risk level for public health. Setting acceptable risk levels includes using several safety factors and assumes a lifetime of exposure.

The EPA proposes to regulate PFOA and PFOS at 4 parts per trillion (ppt). For perspective, one part per trillion is equal to one second in 32,000 years.

GCWW has been proactive in monitoring source water for these types of compounds for many years.

GCWW operates two water treatment plants: the Richard Miller Treatment Plant, which gets water from the Ohio River; and the Charles M. Bolton Plant, which gets water from the Miami Buried Valley Aquifer.

Based on testing, the treated drinking water from the Richard Miller Treatment Plant, which serves most of our customers, is consistently below the proposed levels for these compounds.

The treated water from the Bolton plant, however, has levels of PFOA (ranging from non-detectable to 4.7 ppt) and of PFOS (ranging from non-detectable to 5.7 ppt).  Because some of these detections are slightly above the proposed levels, GCWW will need to install additional treatment measures at this plant if the proposed rule is made final.

** It is important to note that these levels do not represent an immediate health concern.  The new levels are calculated based on lifetime exposure with significant levels of safety built into the number.

What is GCWW doing about these compounds?

GCWW will continue to monitor the source water and treated water at both plants.

Additionally, an aggressive sampling plan is being created to identify whether the PFOA and PFOS are coming from a specific source upstream of the well field at the Bolton plant. If a source is found, we will take steps to reduce or eliminate the source.  GCWW is also evaluating treatment options to determine the best one for use at the Bolton plant.

The Ohio EPA is responsible for enforcing federal drinking water regulations. GCWW will work closely with Ohio EPA to determine if additional steps are necessary to address drinking water with levels above the proposed regulations.

The compounds are not an immediate health threat and GCWW’s water does not violate any drinking water regulations. However, GCWW will be working with the Ohio EPA to minimize PFAS levels in drinking water.

** Water from both GCWW plants remains in compliance with all current EPA standards.