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PFAS Education FAQs

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1. What are PFAS and where do they come from? How did PFAS end up in our water? Why are we hearing about it now?

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals found in various everyday products, including firefighting foams, nonstick cookware and waterproof clothing. These "forever chemicals" are resistant to breaking down and can persist in the environment for long periods of time.

PFAS can accumulate in soil and water due to their widespread use and persistence. They can enter water sources through runoff from industrial activities, the use of consumer products, and/or firefighting foam used at airports and military sites. Over time, they build up in the environment. 

PFAS were introduced into consumer products starting in the 1940s and 1950s, however they were not regulated until much later. The reason we are hearing about PFAS in our water now is due to advancements in scientific detection methods, which have enabled us to identify even trace levels of these chemicals. 

We are committed to transparency and regularly testing for PFAS in our water. We will comply with both state and federal requirements for PFAS testing and notification. Test results are made available to our customers through official notices and posted on our website.  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.  

2. Why is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updating PFAS standards? What is the new threshold for PFAS? How does it compare to the old threshold? When does Sweetwater Authority need to

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. The EPA has tightened its regulations in response to the latest understanding of the potential harm from these chemicals. 

The new EPA maximum contaminant level for PFOA and PFOS, two types of PFAS, is 4 parts per trillion (ppt), which is equivalent to one drop of water in five Olympic-sized swimming pools. This is a significant reduction from the previous combined Health Advisory threshold of 70 ppt (PFOA + PFOS).   

The EPA also set the maximum contaminant level for PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA (GenX) at 10 ppt.  Additionally, the EPA set the maximum contaminant level for a combination of PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, and HFPO-DA as a hazard index of 1.  The formula for the hazard index is below where [x] denotes concentration of x .  None of these PFAS had prior thresholds. 

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. What is Sweetwater Authority doing to comply with the new EPA standards? Does Sweetwater Authority need to conduct additional testing?

We are working toward compliance with the new EPA regulations by April 2029 by conducting the required testing and evaluating potential long-term treatment solutions to ensure that we will meet the new standards by the deadline. 

Yes, the EPA requires more testing to obtain a better picture of the situation and to confirm PFAS levels in the water supply. Sweetwater is required to perform quarterly monitoring for a 12-month period and will conduct quarterly tests in 2024 and 2025 to meet this requirement: October 2024, January 2025, April 2025 and July 2025. 

4. How will I know if there is PFAS in my drinking water?

We are committed to transparency and regularly testing for PFAS in our water. We will comply with both state and federal requirements for PFAS testing and notification. Test results will be made available to our customers through official notices and posted on our website at www.sweewater.org/PFAS. Here are additional ways for you to get involved: 

            You can: 

• Attend a meeting: public meeting, Community Advisory Work Group, etc. 
• Sign up for our email list. 
• Call us at our dedicated phone line  (619) 409-6786  
• Email us at PFAS@sweetwater.org. 

5. Is my drinking water safe right now? What steps should I take if I am concerned about PFAS in my water?

We understand you have concerns and questions about water safety and your own personal water use. Because PFAS are so prevalent in our society, it is hard to completely avoid them. If you decide to purchase water filters for drinking water, here are some recommendations from EPA: 

• 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 and make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and regular filter replacement to ensure optimal performance.

The EPA has also issued a fact sheet with more information about home filtration and a dedicated webpage for steps you can take to reduce PFAS risk. Bottled water is regulated differently than tap water, and many brands don’t test for PFAS. Tap water, on the other hand, is subject to strict regulations and testing. We are committed to keeping our community informed about any issues with water quality. 

6. What are the costs of treating PFAS in water for agencies like Sweetwater Authority? How will these changes impact my water bill?

As we look ahead to the changes coming in 2029, this is a critical moment for us to plan for how we will address the new EPA regulations. These regulations will lower the allowable thresholds for PFAS in water, meaning that we’ll need to implement treatment systems to meet these stricter standards. Right now, we have a valuable window of opportunity to plan thoughtfully and ensure we’re ready to take action when the time comes.

One of the key reasons for planning now is the significant cost associated with treating PFAS. Installing treatment systems, such as advanced filtration or other technologies, requires major investments in infrastructure. Beyond the initial setup, there are ongoing operational costs to maintain these systems and ensure they’re performing effectively. By starting early, we can identify the best available options, evaluate their effectiveness, and budget accordingly to minimize financial impacts on the community.

7. Who is responsible for PFAS contamination? Is Sweetwater Authority pursuing legal action against the manufacturers of PFAS?

PFAS is a widespread issue, and pinpointing specific sources can be challenging. It is currently unknown where the PFAS contamination comes from. We remain open to pursuing avenues that may help mitigate the impact on our community. 

Sweetwater Authority has settled with some PFAS manufacturers 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.

8. Is my water still safe for drinking, cleaning, cooking and irrigation of my garden and plants?

Yes, you are safe to use your tap water as normal as it meets all current federal and state requirements.

9. What were the most recent testing results?

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. 

Q1 October 2024 Testing Results

Sweetwater Authority began quarterly testing in October 2024, with Q1 2024 results showing that Sweetwater Reservoir exceeded the California public notification level for two PFAS (PFOA and PFHxS), 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 above the California response level, which requires actionable steps to notify the public or take actionable steps to address the situation (such as blending or take the water source offline).   
• PFHxS: Levels detected above the California 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 Authority information to evaluate potential solutions.  

10. What is the difference between California’s notification level and the response level?

CA Response Level — The state has set a “response level” for PFAS in drinking water. If PFAS levels reach “response level”, the water agency is required to consider either:

• Notify the public of the Response Level Exceedance
• Utilize treatment or blending
• Take the water source offline 

CA Notification Level — The state has set a “notification level” for PFAS in drinking water. Wholesale water providers are required to:

• Notify local government agencies within the service area 

11. Would California set standards that are lower than the EPA standards?

California has the authority to adopt stricter standards than the EPA. However, the current detection limits may not support a substantial reduction in the threshold at this time. 

12. Does a changing federal administration affect these regulations?

As the EPA’s PFAS regulations are being challenged in court, the compliance timeline and specific requirements could shift depending on the outcome of ongoing litigation. We are monitoring these developments closely.  

13. Should I be concerned about potential side effects? Have there been any health issues linked to PFAS reported in our community?

To date, there have been no health issues reported in our community that are directly linked to PFAS in our drinking water. If you have specific concerns, we encourage you to consult your physician.  

14. How are we going to pay for this, along with repairs to Sweetwater Reservoir?

Once all test results are in and we have a clear picture of the situation, the Governing Board will review the findings and likely direct staff to engage with firms who specialize in treatment options. This analysis will include corresponding costs, which will be discussed in terms of impact to the Authority’s overall operating budget and subsequent impact to rates, if needed. It is too early in the process to speculate how much this could cost or how it will be funded.

15. How much will resolving this problem cost? How much would it cost to purchase imported water immediately to offset the water impacted by PFAS?

The cost of resolving PFAS-related issues depends on the mitigation strategy we pursue, which will be determined once we have all the necessary data. Currently, building a purification facility is estimated to cost approximately $40 million, plus additional costs for ongoing operations and maintenance. 

Purchasing imported water immediately is estimated to cost as much as $44 million over a 3-year period, in addition to the $40 million estimated to build a purification facility.

16. If you know thresholds are changing, how can you assure the public their water is safe?

We understand that new PFAS regulations can raise concerns, but we want to assure you that your water is safe. We have been actively monitoring PFAS levels, and we will continue to meet or exceed the new, stricter standards when they go into effect in 2029. We are following all state and federal guidelines related to PFAS response and levels.

17. How will you ensure all customers are informed about PFAS testing requirements and testing results? Will you be hosting additional outreach meetings with the public on this issue?

Sweetwater is committed to keeping the community fully informed. We are using a variety of outreach methods, including water bill inserts, e-blasts, community meetings and workshops, press releases, outreach with cities in the service area (City of National City and City of Chula Vista) and local school districts, notices and social media to ensure customers and community members are aware of testing requirements and results.  

We are also hosting a series of community outreach meetings and workshops in early 2025. These meetings will provide additional opportunities for residents to learn about the PFAS and ask questions. Links and meeting details will be available on our website on the PFAS education page, www.sweetwater.org/PFAS.

18. How do we treat water for PFAS at Reynolds Desalination Facility?

We treat the water at Reynolds through reverse osmosis and get about 80% recovery of water coming into the plant. 20% is discharged into the lower Sweetwater River.

19. Why didn’t the water district detect this or address this sooner?

The state and federal guidelines have changed several times in the last 10 years. We are still within the guidelines set by both state and federal authorities. The EPA's updated standards are just now being implemented, and we have until 2029 to meet the new regulations. We are taking steps now to prepare.

20. What technologies or treatments are being considered as solutions?

There are a number of advanced treatment technologies for PFAS removal in drinking water: granulated activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange resins (IX) and reverse osmosis, which are currently considered the best available technologies for PFAS removal in the water industry. As technology evolves and we learn more about the concentrations of contamination from the quarterly testing results, we will continue to evaluate the most effective options. Once we identify the potential solution, we’d need to conduct analysis on the potential options, studying costs and feasibility of each option. Once a preferred option was identified, we’d move into planning and design of a treatment solution and construction of the facility.

21. Will Sweetwater switch to a different water source temporarily?

This is a possibility. We are evaluating all options to ensure the best possible water quality and minimize cost impacts to our customers. 

22. What is Sweetwater doing to prevent this from happening again?

Sweetwater is not responsible for the presence of PFAS in the water supply. PFAS is a widespread issue that water agencies across the globe are dealing with, and pinpointing specific sources can be challenging. We are currently conducting quarterly testing and taking steps to prevent further contamination.

23. What is Sweetwater doing to remove PFAS from the water supply? How long will it take to fix this issue?

We currently have two of four required testing results. Once we determine our annual average PFAS level, we will take the necessary steps to address the issue using the best available control technology. This may include building a purification facility and/or exploring other advanced treatment technologies.

The timeline depends on the specific mitigation solution we implement. We anticipate having a clearer picture by the end of 2025 once our quarterly testing requirement is complete.  Sweetwater is required to perform quarterly monitoring for a 12-month period and will conduct two more quarterly tests in 2025: April 2025 and July 2025. Testing will continue through the end of 2025.