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PFAS Education
Safeguarding Your Health and Water Quality
You may have recently heard about testing regulations related to PFAS in water treated from Sweetwater Reservoir. First and foremost, your water quality and safety are our highest priority. We want to assure you that Sweetwater Authority’s water is safe to drink and meets all current federal and state standards and guidelines.
PFAS is a complicated topic, and an issue that water providers across the globe are facing since the substance is so prevalent in our society. It’s found in everyday items like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging and more.
A small amount of two PFAS substances that exceed the level for public notification were detected in water treated from Sweetwater Reservoir. The levels do not require any treatment response at this time. The initial results are one of four data points needed to get a better picture of the situation and potential solutions. The Authority will conduct three more quarterly tests in 2025 (January, April and July 2025) to help obtain the full picture and confirm the exact levels of PFAS in the water supply.
How you can get involved
At the same time, we’re committed to engaging customers and community members proactively on PFAS education. We hosted our first public workshop on Dec. 12, 2024, to provide the public with more information about this issue.
The workshop included a comprehensive presentation by Sweetwater’s director of water quality, which covered background information on PFAS, regulations and testing, and potential ways to treat water with PFAS, should that be necessary in the future. It also provided customers with a forum to ask questions about the topic.
The Dec. 12 workshop was the first of several opportunities for the public to get information about this issue. Here are additional ways you can get involved.
- Attend a future public workshop: Sweetwater is hosting additional workshops in early 2025. We encourage the community to participate.
- Jan. 28, 2025, 5 to 7 p.m. We will dedicate the January 2025 Community Advisory Work Group meeting at Reynolds Desalination Facility to PFAS education. The agenda will be posted on Sweetwater’s website in advance of the meeting.
- February/March2025: We will host three community workshops in communities within the service area (National City, Chula Vista and Bonita) in February/March 2025. More information about these workshops will be posted on the PFAS education page.
- Share your support: Email us at PFAS@sweetwater.org stating your support for protecting our water supply by taking action against the companies that caused the PFAS that contaminated our water. This information will be shared with local, state and federal policy makers.
- Phone: Call us at our dedicated phone line with questions or concerns at (619) 409-6786.
- Email: Email us with questions, concerns or to sign up for eblasts at PFAS@sweetwater.org.
Updated EPA standards and PFAS testing results
In April 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a new federal National Primary Drinking Water Standard for PFAS, which requires public water systems to perform initial monitoring by 2027 and to meet new thresholds for contaminants in water, known as Maximum Contaminant Levels, by April 2029. Sweetwater Authority moved forward with this testing in October 2024 while conducting required monitoring. Detections came back in November 2024 with PFAS levels that did not require mitigation, but did require notification, which has been completed. Additional quarterly testing throughout the year is needed to determine the exact concentration of PFAS in the water supply. The Authority will continue to conduct monitoring and ensure that it is in compliance with the EPA’s new Maximum Contaminant Levels by 2029.
The health and safety of our customers is our top priority. Upon receipt of the testing results, the Authority took immediate and proactive action by preparing a comprehensive outreach process, which is designed to share consistent, transparent updates to our customers in real time.
In addition to our outreach efforts, the Authority has committed resources toward increased water testing and exploration of effective treatment solutions with water quality experts. We will continue to provide regular reports to our customers on our progress for both short- and long-term solutions to this issue.
PFAS Frequently Asked QuestionsPFAS Explained
What are PFAS?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of more than 15,000 chemicals widely used in consumer products that resist heat, oils, stains and water, such as carpets, clothing, furniture fabrics, paper packaging for food and other materials. Two types of PFAS – PFOA and PFOS – are the most commonly used, studied and regulated PFAS chemicals in the U.S.
Causes of PFAS
PFAS can leak into water sources through the following:
- Industry
- Firefighting foam
- Waterproof clothing
- Food boxes/wrapping
- Non-stick pans
- Cleaning products
- Personal care products
Environment/water supply
PFAS are slow to break down and can move far from their original use areas. When the products above are manufactured and then discarded, they enter the environment and can end up in water sources over time.
PFAS information
While there is growing national attention to PFAS and their impact on water supplies, the Authority continues to ensure its customers have access to safe, reliable water that meets all State and Federal drinking water standards.
What we are doing
As your water provider since 1977, we take our responsibility of providing safe and reliable water service very seriously. Your health and safety are our top priority. We are currently working to determine the source of the PFAS and prevent it from further contaminating our water sources.
- We are:
- Trying to determine the source of the PFAS to prevent it from further contaminating our water sources.
- Continue testing and monitoring for PFAS and keeping the community informed of the results.
- We will be:
- Considering building a purification facility that will use the best available technology to remove PFAS from our water supply and properly dispose of it.
- Pursuing all possible cost saving measures to offset the cost of needed infrastructure.
- 1. How did PFAS end up in our water?
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PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals used in various industrial and consumer products, known for their resistance to water, oil, and heat. Although useful in many applications, PFAS can persist in the environment and accumulate in the body over time, potentially leading to health risks. Recent studies suggest that even low levels of certain PFAS in drinking water may pose risks, prompting the EPA to update its standards.
- 2. Why is the EPA updating PFAS standards?
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Prolonged exposure to high levels of PFAS is believed to result in negative health effects including links to liver damage, immune system impacts, and certain cancers. EPA was not sure what level is safe for drinking water and as a result decided to lower the previously established standard from 70 parts per trillion to 4 parts per trillion. This was as close to zero as EPA could legally set the limit and is the equivalent of one drop of PFAS in five Olympic sized swimming pools. You can click here to be directed to the EPA website for more information about what the agency has done over the years to track PFAS.
- 3. When does Sweetwater Authority need to comply with the new EPA standards?
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Sweetwater Authority must be compliant with these requirements by April 2029.
- 4. What is Sweetwater Authority doing to comply with the new EPA standards?
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Our agency is proactively working to meet the upcoming standards before they are officially required. We are increasing our water testing efforts to determine what advanced treatment solutions and/or new technologies are needed to reduce PFAS levels. Once we have firm, clear data on the levels in our water supply reservoirs, we can develop options for mitigating the problem. We intend to use this process to meet or exceed the anticipated regulations well in advance.
- 5. How will I know if there is PFAS in my drinking water?
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We are committed to transparency and will regularly update customers on our website, through email alerts and in community meetings. Any significant changes in PFAS levels or water safety will be promptly communicated to you. To stay up to date with the latest information, please sign up for our email updates. We also have multiple ways for you to become involved.
You can:
- Attend a meeting: public meeting, working group, etc. Meeting information coming soon.
- Sign up for our email list.
- Call us at our dedicated phone line for inquiries related to this topic at (619) 409-6786
- For inquiries related to this topic, email us at PFAS@sweetwater.org.
- 6. Is my drinking water safe right now?
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Yes, your water is safe to drink and meets all current federal and state standards and guidelines. We are required to comply with the new EPA standard by April 2029. We’re doing our best to get ahead of this deadline by proactively testing to ensure we’re tracking any significant changes to the levels of PFAS in the water.
- 7. What steps should I take if I am concerned about PFAS in my water?
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If you have specific health concerns related to PFAS, please contact a doctor.
- 8. How will these changes impact my water bill?
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The cost of implementing new treatment solutions may impact water rates over time. We are working to minimize these costs and will communicate any potential changes well in advance, keeping affordability and transparency top of mind.
- 9. Where can I get more information about PFAS and the new standards?
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For more information, you can visit the EPA’s PFAS webpage or attend our upcoming workshops and meetings where our team will answer questions and provide ongoing updates. Links and meeting details will be available on our website.
- 10. Is Sweetwater Authority pursuing legal action against the manufacturers of PFAS?
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Sweetwater Authority has settled with some PFAS manufactures for money to contend with the PFAS in the system in the multidistrict litigation against the PFAS manufacturers. The Authority has currently settled with 3M, DuPont, Tyco and BASF. The Authority has also filed lawsuits against other manufacturers who have not yet settled outstanding claims and who contributed to the introduction of PFAS into the environment and the Authority’s water supply.
- 11. What are PFAS and where do they come from?
-
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of more than 15,000 chemicals widely used in consumer products that resist heat, oils, stains and water, such as carpets, clothing, furniture fabrics, paper packaging for food and other materials. Two types of PFAS – PFOA and PFOS – are the most commonly used, studied and regulated PFAS chemicals in the U.S.
To learn more about PFAS, you can visit the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry website here or the EPA’s website here.
- 12. Is my water still safe for drinking, cleaning, cooking and irrigation of my garden and plants?
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Yes, you are safe to use your tap water as normal. At Sweetwater Authority, we are taking action by:
- Trying to determine the source of the PFAS to prevent it from further contaminating our water sources.
- Increasing testing and monitoring for PFAS and keeping the community informed of the results.
We will be:
- Considering building a purification facility that will use the best available technology to remove PFAS from our water supply and properly dispose of it.
- Pursuing all possible cost saving measures to offset the cost of needed infrastructure.