Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final rule on per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known commonly as PFAS or “forever chemicals”. COG and metropolitan Washington’s water utilities support regulations based on science and research to protect human health. PFAS are persistent in the environment, and associated health risks from prolonged exposure have been identified. Regional water systems and EPA share the same goal of ensuring the delivery of clean, affordable, and high-quality drinking water to residents.

“We support the EPA’s efforts on new regulations to limit exposure to PFAS compounds, which enter the environment through industrial and household uses. We encourage the EPA to redouble its efforts to keep PFAS compounds out of our environment and drinking water supplies. The Service Authority and drinking water providers across the region will maintain our standard of excellence in drinking water,” Prince William County Service Authority General Manager Calvin D. Farr, Jr. stated.

Eliminating PFAS pollution at the source is the best way to protect local drinking water supplies and human health. Fairfax Water General Manager Jamie Hedges stated, “We will continue to champion source water protection and support local, state, and national efforts to prevent these compounds from entering drinking water supplies. Removing PFAS at the source is the key to ensuring the community has high-quality water at affordable rates.”

Targeting and eliminating PFAS sources is cost effective and places the cost for treatment on the polluters rather than area residents. Other federal agencies should be compelled to coordinate with EPA to develop and implement a regulatory framework that targets the manufacturing, use, and removal of PFAS sources to the maximum extent possible.

“We support EPA’s efforts to protect public health, but our customers should not have to pay to clean up a mess they did not cause,” said David L. Gadis, CEO and General Manager of DC Water. “The responsibility for removing PFAS from our waterways falls squarely on the polluters.”

Research is critical to comply with the new PFAS rule. The region’s water utilities currently monitor for PFAS in drinking water and are evaluating their PFAS treatment options. Regional research initiatives identified possible PFAS sources, and an ongoing study is investigating the occurrence of PFAS in drinking water supplies. Water utilities and their partners continue to closely monitor new research as it becomes available and are committed to maintaining the trust of area residents.

Compliance costs for the PFAS Rule are significant. Treating drinking water for PFAS requires utilities to install advanced technologies that carry an extraordinary cost. Recent research estimates the rule will require more than $3.8 billion annually to install PFAS drinking water treatment nationwide. Drinking water utilities across the region believe costs will be higher. For example, WSSC Water estimates it would cost between $1.4 billion and nearly $3 billion to upgrade one of its two water filtration plants.

High expenses for PFAS treatment come at a time when local governments and water utilities face double and triple digit increases in the prices of essential supplies, equipment, and electricity. The region already faces high costs to address regional water security and resilience, mitigate climate change, meet Chesapeake Bay requirements, and more. Ultimately, the costs fall on ratepayers. While EPA designated $1 billion to address PFAS in drinking water, additional direct federal funding for local governments and water utilities should be provided to offset the high capital, operations, and maintenance costs.

As the PFAS rule is implemented, area utilities urge residents to take action to reduce PFAS exposure. In the home, residents can:

• Cook with stainless steel, cast-iron, glass or ceramics rather than nonstick pots and pans and throw out scratched or chipped nonstick cookware.
• 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, and steer clear of foods in grease-resistant wrappers or containers.
• Avoid carpets and upholstery treated to be stain or water resistant, decline stain treatment.

Ingredients and materials matter in consumer products. Avoid products containing PTFE or polyfluoro- ingredients. These can be found in some cosmetics, shampoos, and dental floss. Ask questions before purchasing curtains, carpets, furniture, and other textiles labeled stain or water -proof or -resistant. Materials or ingredients with PFAS may or may not be listed for different products. Contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission for information and ask manufacturers if their products contain PFAS.

MORE: PFAS in the Environment