West Des Moines Finished Water Meets New, Stricter EPA Rules
PFAS refers to a large group of chemicals that have been used in the manufacture of an abundance of goods and items we use every day: food packaging, clothing, cookware, bedding, cosmetics, carpets and rugs, and even dental floss. These chemicals help make products stain-, water- and heat-resistant, and for years they were also used in fire-fighting foams as well as non-stick coatings such as Teflon.
Also known as forever chemicals, PFAS do not break down over time and their accumulation is being detected in water sources and drinking water across the country. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is addressing the harmful effects of these chemicals with strict rules to severely limit their presence in drinking water.
West Des Moines Water Works conducts quarterly testing on finished drinking water and is pleased to report that our detectable PFAS levels are well below the new, far stricter regulations adopted by the EPA for PFAS. The chart below shows the new maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) of PFAS allowed in drinking water. These maximums range from 4 parts per trillion to 10 parts per trillion. Comparatively, WDMWW’s 2023 quarterly testing result all measured under2 ppt.
For perspective, 1 part per trillion is equal to 1 drop of water in a body of water the size of 20 Olympic swimming pools. The following Q&A provides you with additional information on PFAS.
What is PFAS?
You have probably heard these called "Forever Chemicals." Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of manmade chemicals that are resistant to heat, and repel water and oil. PFAS have been identified by the EPA as contaminants in water and other natural resources. Five of the substances in the category are concerning enough to carry maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) from the EPA. They are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and for hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO also known as GenX). In addition, four other compounds are regulated in combination with each other as calculated by the Hazard Index Maximum Contaminant Level. (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
What is the EPA’s Hazard Index Maximum Contaminant Level?
Decades of research show mixtures of different chemicals can have additive health effects, even if the individual chemicals are each present at lower levels. This means that low levels of multiple PFAS that individually would not likely result in adverse health effects may pose health concerns when combined in a mixture. The Hazard Index is a long-established approach that EPA regularly uses, for example in the Superfund program, to determine the health concerns associated with exposure to chemical mixtures. EPA's Hazard Index Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) is set at 1 and applies to any mixture containing two or more of PFNA, PFXxS, PFBS, and HFPO-DA (known as "GenX chemicals). These PFAS can often be found together in different mixtures and research shows that exposure to mixtures of these chemicals may have additive health impacts.
Where do PFAS substances come from?
Of the more than 9,000 known PFAS compounds, 600 are currently used in the U.S. in countless products. Many are used in many industrial applications and consumer products such as carpeting, waterproof clothing, upholstery, food paper wrappings, personal care products, some firefighting foams and metal plating. PFAS have been found at low levels both in the environment and in blood samples of the general U.S. population. (Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Scientific American)
Why are they referred to as forever chemicals?
Substances falling within the PFAS category are referred to as persistent in that they do not break down and can accumulate or build up in blood systems and other organs. (Source: Scientific American)
How long have we been monitoring for PFAS?
In 2014, WDMWW finished water was tested under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) for 22 PFAS compounds with no detections found. The PFAS category contains a number of compounds, some of which now carry a MCL.
Our first detections occurred in 2021. Testing of WDMWW finished water produced at the A.C. Ward Municipal Water Treatment Plant, detected the presence of PFOA and PFOS at 2.9 ppt and 2.4 ppt, respectively. A presence of 2.6 ppt of PFBS but no detection of HFPO/GenX was found in the finished water. In compliance with IDNR’s testing protocol, the Water Works increased its testing and monitoring frequency. WDMWW has begun to conduct research to determine whether the source or sources of PFAS compounds in the utility’s raw source water can be identified.
The utility has and will continue to be in regular contact with IDNR regarding the detection of the regulated PFAS compounds and appropriate strategies to employ, if needed. The presence of PFAS compounds could be new, but it may also reflect the availability of more refined and accurate testing, which now can detect levels as low as 1.9 ppt compared with earlier methods that could only detect levels as low as 17 ppt. One particular shallow well reported higher numbers than the others, and WDMWW has limited its use until we can address its issues.
Is Bottled Water Safer?
Bottled water is not held to the same requirements for testing as tap water. PFAS have been found in a number of different bottled water brands. Check out this study done by Consumer Reports.
What is West Des Moines Water Works doing about PFAS?
The utility has and will continue to be in regular contact with IDNR regarding the detection of PFOA and PFOS and appropriate strategies to employ, if needed. The presence of PFAS compounds could be new, but it may also reflect the availability of more refined and accurate testing, which now can detect levels as low as 1.9 ppt compared with earlier methods that could only detect levels as low as 17 ppt.
Additional sampling of our wells and evaluation of options to keep PFAS out of our finished water are ongoing.
What Can A Homeowner Do If They Are Concerned about PFAS in their Drinking Water?
The EPA has prepared a fact sheet that describes ways to minimize PFAS exposure from additional sources. Click here to view that fact sheet (https://www.epa.gov/pfas/meaningful-and-achievable-steps-you-can-take-reduce-your-risk).
More information about PFAS and the IDNR action plan is also available on the agency’s website. West Des Moines Water Works will continue to test, monitor and inform its customers of detectable PFAS levels.
Additional Resources:
EPA PFAS Explained
EPA PFAS Information
West Des Moines Water Works Trustees Approve Contract for Legal Counsel in PFAS Litigation Press Release July 2022
Des Moines Water Works PFAS information (for those receiving water we purchase from DMWWW)
Press Release and Analytical Report December 2021