PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals that have been used globally in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. The most common types are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). While PFAS are not naturally present in drinking water, they are widely found in many consumer goods.
These chemicals have been used in a variety of products, including non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, paper packaging for food, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, personal care items, some firefighting foams, and other products designed to resist grease, water, and oil.
PFAS can enter the environment during their production and use, migrating into soil, water, and air. Most PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS, do not break down easily, so they persist in the environment. According to the EPA, about 20% of an individual's PFAS exposure comes from drinking water, with the remaining 80% coming from consumer products.
On March 14, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a National Primary Drinking Water Rule for six types of PFAS. The final rule, announced on April 10, 2024, established legally enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for these chemicals.
The EPA's health advisory level indicates the minimum concentration of a compound that could present health risks over a lifetime of exposure (70 years). These advisories consider overall exposure, including other sources of PFAS, such as consumer products.
The PFAS now regulated include PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA, as well as mixtures containing at least two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS.
In addition, the EPA established non-enforceable, health-based Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) for these PFAS.
The standards are measured in parts per trillion (ppt). To put this in perspective, one part per trillion in water is equivalent to a single drop of water in an Olympic-sized swimming pool or one second in 32,800 years.
Public water systems are required to monitor for these PFAS and have three years to complete their initial monitoring (by 2027), with ongoing compliance monitoring thereafter. Starting in 2027, water systems must also inform the public about the levels of these PFAS in their drinking water.
If monitoring shows that PFAS levels exceed the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), public water systems have five years (by 2029) to implement solutions to reduce these PFAS levels.
Beginning in 2029, any public water system with PFAS levels that violate one or more MCLs must take action to lower these levels in the drinking water and must notify the public of the violation.
Spalding County Water Authority has been proactively sampling our water and will continue to submit data quarterly to the EPA as required. So far, we have not detected any of the newly regulated contaminants. We will keep monitoring our water quality and keep our customers informed to ensure the safety of our drinking water.
For more information, please click the links below.
Georgia Environmental Protection Division Information on PFAS
Environmental Protection Agency Information on PFAS
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