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1. Why aren’t these workshops listed on the board meetings calendar?

The Bonita workshop has been posted on the events calendar on the Sweetwater Authority home webpage. The PFAS education team will ensure all future meetings are posted to ensure the public can easily find this information.

2. Will there be a generated graph or map to show changes in PFAS levels over time?

That is a great idea. We will take note of that for future test results.

3. Are there other water agencies in the state and San Diego County that are monitoring for PFAS in surface water?

Sweetwater Authority’s water supply is unique in that most of the water in the service area is supplied by “surface water”. PFAS has been primarily studied in groundwater, but surface water monitoring is increasing. In San Diego County, Sweetwater Authority is the only agency currently conducting this level of PFAS monitoring for surface water. Other areas in California, such as the Inland Empire and Orange County, have detected PFAS in groundwater.

4. How does the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) affect PFAS testing? Have other water agencies started this testing yet?

The EPA’s UCMR rule requires large water agencies like Sweetwater Authority to conduct monitoring for PFAS between 2023 and 2025. Some agencies have not started monitoring yet but will be required to do so under the EPA’s new regulations in 2027. More data on this will become available over time as more agencies begin their monitoring efforts.

5. Does Sweetwater Authority collaborate with other water agencies to share testing methods and best practices?

Yes, Sweetwater Authority does communicate with other agencies to share best practices and testing methodologies and attends trade conferences where PFAS treatment and solutions are discussed. 

6. Do Sweetwater Authority board members have knowledge of PFAS testing results and the confirmation sample for the Q2 data?

Yes. Sweetwater Authority leadership provides Board members with regular updates on PFAS testing results as they become available. 

7. Can you explain the slight variations in PFAS concentration levels between different sampling events between October 2024 and February 2025?

Variations in PFAS levels in the testing events are common and could be attributed to seasonal changes like weather or environmental factors. These fluctuations in the testing results emphasize the importance of Sweetwater Authority obtaining two additional test results (Q3 and Q4 2025). This will provide Sweetwater Authority with the complete set of annual test results needed to accurately identify PFAS treatment and mitigation solutions. 

8. If blending is used as a mitigation measure, where does the additional water come from? Where does the blending occur?

If blending were used, we would purchase water from the San Diego County Water Authority and blend it with water from the Sweetwater Reservoir and send it to the Perdue Water Treatment Plant and distribute to customers in the service area. The blending process would occur in underground pipes coming from Sweetwater Reservoir, immediately before the treatment process begins at Perdue Water Treatment Plant.

9. Does Sweetwater Authority have an epidemiologist advising on PFAS water safety?

No, we do not have an epidemiologist on staff. However, we follow guidance from regulatory agencies, including the EPA, regarding water safety.

10. Who has the final say on the PFAS education materials provided to the public?

Educational materials are developed and approved by the Sweetwater Authority PFAS education team, which consists of the agency leadership, water resources, public affairs and our third-party outreach consultants. There is no single individual responsible for final approval.

11. What actions could community members take to minimize exposure to PFAS? What home filtration options are available for community members concerned about PFAS exposure?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides guidance on steps you can take to reduce PFAS risk and provides recommendations for home filtration systems that can reduce PFAS levels. We recommend referring to the EPA’s website for a list of NSF-certified products that meet recommended standards. 

12. How often will Sweetwater Authority be testing for PFAS?

Sweetwater Authority is required to test quarterly. Our next tests are anticipated in April 2025 (Q3) and July 2025 (Q4). 

13. How soon will the public be made aware of the testing results? ?How will future community updates be provided if quarterly workshops are not held?

Sweetwater Authority is committed to sharing testing results as quickly as possible after they’re received from the laboratory. The team just received Q2 confirmation test data from the lab today. That information has been included in the presentation for the workshop this evening. For our future testing results for Q3 and Q4, we will continue to share information through water bills, information on the PFAS education webpage, update Frequently Asked Questions, distribute eblasts to our PFAS education list and post on social media to keep the community informed.