PFAS
Perfluoroalkyls and polyfluoroalkyls, commonly known as PFAS, are manmade chemicals widely used since the 1940s. PFAS are frequently referred to as “forever chemicals,” as they do not naturally break down in the environment and can be found in water, air and soil.
Golden State Water routinely monitors and tests its water and proactively tracks state and federal regulations as they evolve. Through treatment, levels of PFAS in drinking water can be reduced to meet applicable standards, which continue to evolve at both the federal and state level.
As your water provider, we continually invest in water infrastructure, treatment and testing and take great pride in providing you with safe, high-quality, reliable water.
Regulations
Federal Regulations
On April 10, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for six PFAS compounds in drinking water. The MCL requires public water systems to implement PFAS monitoring and reporting within three years (2027), and where exceedances are identified, to implement solutions within five years (2029) to reduce PFAS levels to below the MCLs.
State Regulations
Current state advisory levels are:
Notification Levels (NL)
A notification level (NL) is a nonregulatory, precautionary health-based measure for concentrations of chemicals in drinking water that warrant notification and further monitoring and assessment.
Response Levels (RL)
A response level (RL) is a nonregulatory, precautionary health-based measure that is set higher than a notification level and represents a recommended chemical concentration level at which water systems consider taking a water source out of service or provide treatment if that option is available to them.
The state adopted Public Health Goals (PHGs) for PFOA and PFOS at 0.007 ppt and 1 ppt, respectively. The Division of Drinking Water (DDW) will use them as the basis for developing statewide enforceable drinking water regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Golden State Water doing to protect drinking water?
Our highest priority is providing customers with safe and high-quality drinking water. We routinely monitor and test water to ensure that the level of PFAS in your drinking water meets all federal and state water quality standards. When PFAS is detected at levels beyond the state’s notification level, Golden State Water must notify local government agencies and state water regulators.
Contaminants such as PFAS are also disclosed in our annual Consumer Confidence Report emailed to customers and posted on this website, listed explicitly by customer service area.
What are PFOA and PFOS?
Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) are fluorinated organic chemicals that have been used in the making of domestic products such as carpets, cookware and other products that are resistant to water, grease or stains. PFOA and PFOS have also been used for suppressing fires, primarily at airfields and military bases.
How are PFOA and PFOS removed from source waters?
PFOA and PFOS can be removed using a number of advanced drinking water treatment technologies, including Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), ion exchange, and blending treatment processes. To date, Golden State Water has installed six treatment facilities to remove PFOA and PFOS and is planning to construct another fourteen treatment facilities within the next 5 years.
Who pays for PFAS treatment?
Although PFAS manufacturers are responsible for creating this environmental issue, Golden State Water and its customers are burdened with the treatment cost. Golden State Water has instituted legal action against those it believes are responsible for creating the PFAS contamination. The expenses incurred to maintain water quality, including treatment and testing, are ultimately supported by the customers’ water bill rates.
Your rates play a vital role in ensuring that our water systems continues to meet all federal and state quality standards established to protect public health and safety.
Where can customers find PFAS water quality testing results?
Water quality test results are directly submitted from a State-certified laboratory to DDW and recorded on the State’s website for full transparency. Click here to view test results on the DDW website. Golden State Water also makes water quality information available via the annual Consumer Confidence Reports which can be viewed here.
Resources for Additional Information
State Water
Resources Control Board
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (PFOA/PFOS Fact Sheet)
GSWC PFAS Fact Sheet