New PFAS limits lauded for public health, but costly for water systems

New federal rules for toxic chemicals in drinking water could lead to costly upgrades for more than a dozen Iowa communities that have tested high for PFAS in the past.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday released the first national drinking water limit on PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a family of industrial chemicals dubbed “forever chemicals” because of how long they can last in the body and the environment.

Officials say this will reduce exposure for 100 million people and help prevent thousands of illnesses, including cancers.

“Everyone can agree we need to get these things out of our water,” said David Cwiertny, a University of Iowa engineering professor and director of the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination. “We’re still understanding health effects, but what we know is not good.”

PFAS have been used for decades in products including non-stick pans, firefighting foam and waterproof clothing. Although some of the most common types are phased out in the United States, others remain. Water providers will now be forced to remove contamination put in the environment by other industries.

The new rules set a limit of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS — two common types of PFAS. Three other types that include GenEx chemicals are limited to 10 parts per trillion.

Within five years, water providers will have to test for these PFAS chemicals and tell the public when levels are too high. Combinations of some PFAS types will be limited, too.

“We’ve got a lot of communities that are going to need to figure out how to address this,” Cwiertny said.

The Iowa DNR started testing community water supplies for PFAS in 2021. Results available online show 14 water systems, including cities and mobile home parks, whose water tested over 4 parts per trillion. In other places, PFAS were detected, but below the threshold. In many other places, including Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, PFAS were not found in the public water supply.

Central City, in north Linn County, stopped using one well in 2022 after PFAS levels of 60 parts per trillion were found there, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported.

Camanche, a town along the Mississippi River, is digging two new deep wells after PFAS were found at high levels in drinking water. As part of an agreement with the EPA, 3M, which manufactured PFAS at the nearby Cordova, Illinois, plant has agreed to pay $800,000 to help fix the city’s PFAS pollution.

Cities with high PFAS levels will need to find a new water supply or install a new purification system, such as reverse osmosis, Cwiertny said.

“It’s going to be extra challenging when a large number of water systems are trying to do the same things at the same time,” he said, adding the EPA also has asked cities to remove lead service lines within 10 years. “Our water systems have their hands full.”

Although there is money available for these upgrades, it may not be enough.

“If you choose reverse osmosis, there’s a huge up-front capital cost, but there are ongoing costs,” Cwiertny said. “For communities that have this issue, folks will look at a rate increase as a viable way forward.”

Utility groups warn the rules will cost tens of billions of dollars each and fall hardest on small communities with fewer resources. Legal challenges are sure to follow.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan says the rule is the most important action the EPA has ever taken on PFAS.

"The result is a comprehensive and life-changing rule, one that will improve the health and vitality of so many communities across our country,” said Regan.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Comments: (319) 339-3157; erin.jordan@thegazette.com