Response and Long-Term Solutions

The health and safety of our customers is our top priority. Since learning of PFAS in Sweetwater Reservoir, Sweetwater Authority has held seven community meetings throughout the Authority’s service area and provided continuous communication with stakeholders via direct and social media. The Authority will continue to provide updates to customers as additional testing is completed.

PFAS expert sought for long-term solution planning 

Building on these efforts, the Authority issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in May 2025 and hired engineering consultant Tetra Tech in summer 2025. Tetra Tech will assess existing data, explore treatment options and estimate costs to help the Authority plan for long-term PFAS mitigation ahead of upcoming EPA compliance deadlines in 2029.

Sweetwater to receive initial settlement payment from 3M litigation

Recognizing the high cost of long-term treatment, the Authority is also working to hold PFAS manufacturers accountable. Legal action against companies that produced these chemicals has resulted in settlements with 3M, DuPont, Tyco and BASF. The Authority expects to receive 20% of the expected payout from 3M, which is $1.248 million, or a net of $957,000 after fees. The remainder of the 3M settlement will be paid out over the next eight years. The DuPont, Tyco and BASF settlement payments have not been finalized. The Authority has created a PFAS Mitigation Fund, where these funds will be used to develop long-term PFAS treatment solutions.

The Authority is also seeking highly competitive state and federal funding to help with this widespread issue, though there’s no guarantee of additional support. In mid-July, Authority Board Members and leadership traveled to Sacramento to continue to advocate for the inclusion of PFAS mitigation funding in Proposition 4. This visit underscores the Authority’s commitment to protecting customers and ensuring local water agencies have the resources needed to meet evolving water quality regulations.

Access the PFAS funding support letter and send it to your state and federal representatives. Customer participation will strengthen the call for critical investment in clean water infrastructure and help secure funding for the community’s long-term water quality needs. 

EPA to propose extending PFAS compliance deadline

Amid all these efforts, the EPA announced that it plans to develop a rulemaking to provide additional time for compliance, including a proposal to extend the compliance date to 2031. This would give water agencies more time to develop long-term remediation solutions related to PFAS.

  1. What Sweetwater Authority is doing to address PFAS now? What is the long-term solution?
  2. What technologies or treatments are being considered as solutions
  3. Will Sweetwater switch to a different water source temporarily? If blending is used as a mitigation measure, where does the additional water come from? Where does the blending occur?
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  1. What are the costs of imported water when compared to the Perdue Water Treatment Plant?
  2. If Sweetwater Authority invests in long-term treatment, how would costs be allocated? What is the immediate cost of imported water to offset PFAS impacts? Would customers bear the expense?
  3. How much does it cost for an individual PFOA test? Is there EPA funding available to cover this?
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