Why are we hearing about PFAS now if they've been around for decades?
PFAS compounds are difficult to detect. They exist in most products at extremely miniscule levels. It’s only recently that laboratory testing technology could even see them at the levels being discussed.
Technological advances now allow us to detect concentrations in the parts-per-trillion (ppt) range. The scientific understanding and regulatory response to these compounds is evolving. This includes potential public health implications.
Aurora Water is closely monitoring the new EPA drinking water guidelines for PFAS chemicals and will be working with the state to protect public health. Aurora Water will always use the latest and best available technology to monitor and safeguard your drinking water.
Are PFAS regulated?
National drinking water quality standards are set by the EPA and administered in our state by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA issues national health-based standards for drinking water to protect against both naturally occurring and man-made substances that may be found in drinking water.
On April 10, 2024, the EPA released its first drinking water regulation regarding six PFAS. EPA now regulates PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA as individual substances, and PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS and HFPO-DA (commonly referred to as GenX) as a PFAS mixture. The MCL is the highest level of a substance that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are enforceable standards set by the EPA.
These regulations state PFOS and PFOA MCLs are set at 4.0 ppt and PFHxS, PFNA and HPFO-DA MCLs are set at 10.0 ppt. These regulations are enforceable in 2029.
For some of these PFAS compounds, water systems would use an established approach called a hazard index calculation, defined in the proposed rule, to determine if the combined levels of these PFAS pose a potential risk. The PFAS mixture MCL would be a hazard index of 1.
Potential health effects
Research has shown there may be health effects associated with exposure to some PFAS. Because there are many types of PFAS chemicals, which often occur in complex mixtures and in various everyday products, researchers face challenges in studying them. More research is needed to fully understand all sources of exposure, and if and how they may cause health problems. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences provides updated information on health effects as well as a searchable database of published scientific papers about PFAS, which can be found here.
Aurora Water's treatment process
Public health and the quality of your drinking water is Aurora Water’s top priority. Aurora’s water continues to meet or exceed all state and federal drinking water standards.
Aurora Water strives to provide clean, safe, great-tasting drinking water to its customers. Aurora’s water comes primarily from high-quality surface water sources originating from high in the mountains. We use direct and conventional filtration to treat our mountain water.
The city also uses river water from the South Platte River through the Prairie Waters System. This system recaptures water using a multibarrier process that includes granular activated carbon, which is an approved technique to reduce PFAS levels.
What is Aurora Water doing about PFAS?
Aurora Water is committed to protecting our residents and our resources. Staff have been engaged in numerous discussions at Federal, Regional and State levels (including regulators and legislators) stressing the importance of appropriately regulating, managing and remediating PFAS substances. The multibarrier approach used in our treatment system means we have flexibility in treating new substances.
These communications have included the importance of holding those parties who introduced the PFAS into the environment responsible for remediation and clean-up and the importance of prohibiting additional use of PFAS compounds in the manufacture of goods.
In 2022, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed into law the most comprehensive state bill restricting the sale of PFAS in consumer products, as well as fluids used in the extraction of oil and gas products, as early as 2024. Eliminating PFAS at the source is the best way to keep it out of the environment. Staff will continue to engage in these discussions.
Aurora Water also investigates potential solutions using a pilot treatment plant, which is housed in the Binney Water Purification Facility. This pilot plant is used to test a variety of water treatment processes’ efficiency, capability and effectiveness. The pilot plant system, which operates independently from the rest of our water treatment processes, allows operators to further research PFAS reduction processes.
We also support a growing body of peer-reviewed scientific research on PFAS. As a leader in the water industry, Aurora Water is engaged in stakeholder and other local, state and national opportunities to develop solutions. Aurora Water will continue to closely monitor the EPA’s guidelines on PFAS to inform our next steps.
If PFAS are in so many consumer goods, why haven't I heard about the PFAS levels in them?
Drinking water providers test their product more than just about any other industry. Water quality is highly regulated, primarily through CDPHE, which is the enforcement of the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act. Measuring PFAS in water is easier compared to measuring exposure from other sources of PFAS like clothing, food packaging or dental floss.
How can you help protect water quality?
We encourage residents to avoid PFAS when purchasing consumer goods and new household products. This will not only protect your health but also prevent the compounds from further entering our environment. For a list of PFAS-free consumer goods, visit PFAS Central.
I received information about a water filter, but a company gave me a quote that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Do I really need a water filter?
Aurora Water does not recommend installing home filtration devices. It’s more effective to treat water systemwide where it can be managed by trained and licensed water treatment professionals and supported through our state-of-the-art laboratory. If you do use a filter, for example with your refrigerator’s water or ice dispenser, please make sure that you replace the filter regularly based on the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Surrounding communities have received reports of companies using predatory sales tactics to scare customers into paying more than they need to on water treatment options.