Sweetwater Authority (Authority) has launched a public information campaign in advance of federal U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations surrounding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), man-made chemicals found in common household items. PFAS is a widespread issue that water providers globally are working to address due to its prevalence in society.
In April 2024, the EPA issued new federal standards for six types of PFAS, requiring public water systems to complete initial monitoring by 2027 and comply with stricter contaminant thresholds by April 2029. The Authority began quarterly testing in October 2024, with Q1 2024 results showing that Sweetwater Reservoir exceeded the public notification level, but did not exceed a response level. These findings were shared with the Sweetwater Authority Board on Dec. 12, 2024.
Q2 January 2025 Testing Results
On Jan. 28, 2025, the Authority shared the second set of testing results with the public at their Community Advisory Work Group.
The Q2 January 2025 testing results indicated:
- PFOA: Levels were detected at the response level, which requires actionable steps to notify the public or take actionable steps to address the situation (use treatment such as blending or take the water source offline).
- PFHxS: Levels detected at the notification level, prompting the district to notify the community.
The Authority is seeking a confirmation test to verify the initial results and working with the regulatory agencies to get further direction. The Q2 January 2025 testing results are available here on pages 16-18.
The Q2 January 2025 testing result is one of four EPA-required quarterly testing points. The Authority will conduct two more quarterly tests in April 2025 and July 2025 to obtain a full picture of the PFAS levels in the water supply which will give the District information to evaluate potential solutions.
The Authority will hold three more community meetings in February 2025 in National City, Chula Vista and Bonita to share the results and provide PFAS education to customers and community members.
- Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: National City Library: 1401 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950
- Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch: 365 F St., Chula Vista, CA 91910
- Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, 5:45 to 7:45 p.m.: Bonita-Sunnyside Library: 4375 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902
Our top priority is ensuring the safety and trust of our customers,” said the Authority General Manager Carlos Quintero. “We understand the concerns these results may cause, and we are committed to keeping our community informed while working diligently to meet and exceed all regulatory requirements and develop long-term solutions. We encourage our customers to attend an upcoming workshop and sign up for PFAS education updates from our team to stay informed on this issue.”
What Can You Do?
Customers may have concerns about water safety and personal water use and minimizing PFAS risk, after hearing about the updated testing results. Because PFAS is so widespread in our environment, it makes it hard to completely avoid them. The EPA has developed resources for ways to reduce PFAS risk, Steps to Reduce PFAS Risk. If customers decide to purchase water filters for drinking water, the EPA has developed recommendations in their latest fact sheet. Tips include:
- Look for filters that specifically remove PFAS through reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters.
- Check the labels for NSF/ANSI Standard 53 and 58 certifications
- Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and regular filter replacement to ensure optimal performance.
What are PFAS?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals widely used in industrial and consumer products for their water-resistant, heat-resistant and non-stick properties. PFAS are found in everyday items like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging and more.
How you can get involved
- Attend a public workshop
- Call our dedicated PFAS education phone line at (619) 409-6786 with any questions and a staff member will contact you as soon as possible.
- Email your questions to PFAS@sweetwater.org and a staff member will contact you as soon as possible.
- Sign up for regular PFAS education updates:
- Visit www.sweetwater.org/list.aspx ;
- Type your email address in the box and select "Sign In"
- To subscribe for PFAS education alerts, select the “PFAS Education” list under “Notify Me”
- To confirm your subscription, click the link in the confirmation email from noreply@sweetwater.org
- Visit PFAS education webpage at www.sweetwater.org/PFAS to learn more.