What You Should Know About PFAS
What are PFAS?
Per or Poly-FluoroAlkyl Substances (PFAS) are manmade chemicals that have been used by a variety of industries since 1940 to repel water, grease, and stains in numerous industrial and consumer products. The manufacturing and use of these chemicals in firefighting foams, fabrics, non stick cookware, and food packaging cause PFAS byproducts to enter the air, soil, and waterworks, affecting both natural and domestic water systems.
There are over 4,500 chemicals in the PFAS family, and because they have been used for decades in a multitude of consumer and industry goods and services, most people have been exposed to PFAS.
How does PFAS get into the water supply?
Because of their chemical structure, PFAS are very stable in the environment. The chemicals can enter the water cycle when products containing them are used or spilled onto the ground and seep into the groundwater supply. They can also be carried through the air and end up in water sources used for drinking water.
Is ETWD’s water safe? Is there PFAS in my water?
Your drinking water continues to meet all federal and state drinking water quality standards and is safe to drink. ETWD does NOT have PFAS in its water supply.
Why regulate PFAS?
PFAS do not break down naturally and accumulate in humans and the environment over time. Once they enter the environment, these “forever chemicals” can stick around for decades, affecting our soil, air, wildlife, and even our health. While the production and use of these substances has been widely discontinued, several products containing the chemical may still be imported.
Soon U.S. state and federal agencies will regulate the PFAS family of chemicals, limiting how much is present in drinking water. Although not the source of PFAS, local water agencies are implementing advanced treatment methods to protect consumers.
What are water agencies doing about PFAS?
Scientists and water quality specialists at the federal, state, and local levels continuously monitor water supply, conducting thousands of tests each year to ensure the health and safety of water delivered to customers.
Water agencies that have PFAS in their water supply are proactively working to mitigate PFAS by shutting down affected water sources, and switching to alternate supplies that have tested negative for PFAS contaminants.
ETWD does not have PFAS in the water supply and closely monitors the quality of the water we deliver to ensure that any emerging PFAS concerns are transparently addressed and effectively handled.
If you have any questions regarding PFAS, please call our Customer Service representatives at (949) 837-0660.