PFAS

Discussions concerning PFAS chemicals have gained attention in both national and local news outlets. PFAS is an abbreviation for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These chemicals are man-made and commonly used in consumer products. Due to their chemical structure, these compounds are long-lasting and persist in the environment. The USEPA has developed a Strategic Roadmap to better understand these compounds, their presence in our society and environment, and the associated human health concerns. 

GRU understands your concerns surrounding PFAS and remains committed to transparency and open communication with our customers.

GRU is currently sampling for PFAS in our drinking water. We are pleased to report that sample results have been much lower than the EPA regulatory limits. We will continue to update this webpage as additional sampling is conducted. More detailed information is provided below.

USEPA Regulatory Updates for PFAS

In April 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for six PFAS compounds. The EPA is regulating perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), which are the two most well-studied PFAS, as individual compounds. Four other PFAS compounds: (perfluorononanoic acid [PFNA], hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid [HFPO-DA, commonly known as GenX], perfluorohexane sulfonic acid [PFHxS], and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid [PFBS]) are regulated as individual compounds, as well as a group, using what is called a “hazard index.” 

The hazard index is calculated as shown in the graphic below. If the hazard index is less than 1, then the water system complies with EPA’s draft PFAS MCL.

 

USEPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR)

The EPA has begun publishing results from the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR5) which included PFAS detections in some public water supplies. GRU sampling for UCMR is scheduled for February and August of 2024.

• The EPA uses the UCMR to collect data for contaminants that are suspected to be present in drinking water and do not have health-based standards set under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
• The latest round of UCMR sampling, designated as UCMR5, focuses heavily on PFAS, a group of synthetic (manmade) chemicals that provide a resistance to water, heat and oil.
• PFAS compounds are used in a large variety of consumer goods, such as weather-resistant clothing, stain repellents, food storage containers, cosmetics, non-stick cookware, and numerous additional household products. PFAS has also been commonly used as a fire fighting foam for industrial and military operations.
• PFAS compounds have been in use since the 1940s. These chemicals are difficult to breakdown and therefore have a long lifespan in the environment, which is why these are commonly referred to as “forever” chemicals.
• The EPA has determined that exposure to PFAS can have adverse effects on humans and is in the process of developing regulatory requirements for limiting PFAS in public drinking water.
• Utilities across the US will be sampling for UCMR5 from 2023 through 2025. 

GRU PFAS Sampling for Drinking Water

A summary of GRU’s sampling and data results for PFAS compounds in drinking water is provided in this PDF and the table below. These samples were collected in accordance with regulatory requirements during the EPA UCMR3 and UCMR5 and proactively, by GRU, in 2023. As GRU conducts additional monitoring, we will update the results. 

As part of GRU’s PFAS sampling program for UCMR5, water samples were taken on Feb. 8, 2024. The finished water was tested, and the results showed very low levels of PFBS at 1.2 parts per trillion (ppt), which was the only type of PFAS detected. A part per trillion is a way to describe how much of something is present — in this case, the amount of PFAS in water. To give you an idea, you can think of 1 ppt as one second in 32,000 years, or about one drop of water in 27 Olympic-sized swimming pools. It is important to note that the amount of PFBS measured in the tap water (1.2 ppt) is less than 0.01% of EPA’s health-based water concentration for PFBS (2,000 ppt). The resulting hazard index is 0.0006, well below the draft hazard index Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 1. Therefore, you can still use your water for drinking, cooking, and bathing with minimal risk, according to the EPA.

All other sampling events for GRU’s drinking water were non-detect for PFAS compounds.

PFAS Background

• PFAS is an abbreviation for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
• PFAS is a group of synthetic (manmade) chemicals that provide a resistance to water, heat and oil. Due to these properties, PFAS compounds are used in a large variety of consumer goods, such as weather-resistant clothing, stain repellents, food storage containers, cosmetics, non-stick cookware, and numerous additional household products. PFAS has also been commonly used as a fire fighting foam for industrial and military operations.
• PFAS compounds have been in use since the 1940s. These chemicals are difficult to breakdown and therefore have a long lifespan in the environment, which is why these are commonly referred to as “forever” chemicals.
• The United States Environmental Protection Agency has determined that exposure to PFAS can have adverse effects on humans and is in the process of developing regulatory requirements for limiting PFAS in public drinking water.