The EPA has issued proposed drinking water standards for PFAS compounds. DC Water is committed to meeting the proposed regulations and providing high quality drinking water.

Background

        
 

On March 14, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced proposed regulatory standards for six compounds, know collectively as PFAS.

If finalized, the standards would individually regulate the maximum allowed levels of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in drinking water and would regulate four other PFAS compounds, including GenX, as a mixture with a new Hazard Index. A hazard index is a tool used to evaluate combined risk from exposure to a mixture of contaminants.

For more information about the proposed standards, please visit https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas. 

DC Water’s current test results from eight samples collected over the past two years are below the proposed Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and Hazard Index.

What are PFAS?

PFAS are a group of over 6,000 man-made chemicals that have been manufactured and used in home consumer products such as carpets, clothing, food packaging, and cookware since the 1940s. PFOA and PFOS have been the most extensively produced and studied.

PFAS are used in many applications because of their unique physical properties such as resistance to high and low temperatures, resistance to degradation, and nonstick characteristics. PFAS have been detected worldwide in the air, soil, and water. Due to their widespread use and persistence in the environment, most people in the United States have been exposed to PFAS. U.S. EPA has determined there is evidence that continued exposure above specific levels to certain PFAS may cause adverse health effects.

The science around these chemicals is evolving. Scientists are hard at work understanding the chemicals, their risk to human health, and how to mitigate that risk.

Regulatory Path

EPA’s proposed regulation requires water utilities to complete their first initial year of monitoring within three years after the rule is finalized. EPA officials stated they expect to release the final rule before the end of the year.

DC Water Path Forward

We will carefully evaluate the proposed regulations and provide the EPA with feedback within the 60-day comment period.

Locally, water utilities and military establishments tested for PFAS between 2021 and 2022 using the new EPA approved methods.  Earlier laboratory analytical methods had minimum reporting limits of 4 ppt or higher, resulting in no detects for the Potomac River supplied water treatment plants. New EPA approved methods have minimum report levels of 2 ppt that are detecting PFAS more frequently. 

The table below shows the results from nine samples that were collected from water delivered by the Washington Aqueduct from August 2021 to February 2023.  

We began voluntary quarterly monitoring in February 2023, and as we receive the results they will be posted here. 

ppt = parts per trillion

*The Hazard Index is a tool used to evaluate potential health risks from exposure to chemical mixtures. The hazard index for PFAS is the combination of Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), Hexafluoropropylene Oxide (HFPO) Dimer Acid and its Ammonium Salt (GenX) ratios of concentration in the sample to the level determined not to cause health effects and is 1.0.

DC Water works with industry experts, scientists, regulators, and industry peers to understand health risks, how to mitigate them, and how to communicate them to everyone. These groups are knowledgeable in detection and treatment technologies for many contaminants; however, studies of this class of chemicals are relatively new. We look to EPA for further guidance as the science progresses.

• DC Water is following the guidance of EPA Region 3, our regulating authority.
• We are also closely monitoring federal regulatory updates for PFAS.
• We will take necessary actions to meet any federal regulations when they are established.
• DC Water continues to stress the importance of source water protection and its role in keeping drinking water supplies safe. Protecting drinking water sources and keeping PFAS away from water supplies is a priority.
• Water utilities are “passive receivers” of PFAS. They do not produce or manufacture PFAS. Instead, these chemicals are present in source waters that are treated to produce drinking water.

Customer Action

Customer action is not required.  Results greater than the Health Advisory Levels do not mean that there is an emergency or violation. DC Water will advise if the circumstances change. At this time, EPA is not recommending bottled water for communities based solely on concentrations of these chemicals in drinking water that exceed the health advisory levels. If you are concerned about potential health effects, from exposure to PFASs above Health Advisory Levels, EPA encourages you to contact your doctor or health care professional.

Steps to reduce exposure to PFAS:

• Support efforts to protect drinking water sources and keep PFAS out of water supplies.
• Cook with stainless steel, cast-iron, glass, or ceramics. Don’t use nonstick cookware.
• Read ingredient lists and choose products without PTFE.
• Look for coats, hats, and boots labeled water-resistant. They’re less likely to have PFAS than waterproof products.
• Make popcorn on the stove or in an air popper instead of microwave bags.
• Steer clear of ordering food in grease-resistant wrappers or containers.
• Avoid carpets and upholstery treated to be stain or water-resistant; decline stain treatment.
• Ask manufacturers if their products contain PFAS. These chemicals are often not listed.

For more information, please call DC Water’s Office of Drinking Water Quality and Technology at 202-612-3440 during business hours, email drinkingwater@dcwater.com or refer to the resources below.

Resources:

• EPA’s PFAS Information: https://www.epa.gov/pfas
• EPA’s Questions and Answers: Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFOA, PFOS, GenX Chemicals and PFBS: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/questions-and-answers-drinking-water-health-adv...
• Center for Disease Control (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/PFAS_FactSheet.html
• American Water Works Association (AWWA): https://drinktap.org/Water-Info/Whats-in-My-Water/Per-and-Polyfluoroalky...
• Frequently Asked Questions https://www.dcwater.com/PFAS