BY MARK FADDEN
The context
Next steps
What can be done
Fort Worth’s water supply initially tested over the EPA limit of four parts per trillion for PFOS and PFOA and 10 parts per trillion for PFHxS—all “for- ever chemicals.” The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry states elevated PFAS levels are linked to serious health-related issues.
The EPA’s new regulations state public water systems have until 2027 to complete initial monitoring, followed by ongoing compliance monitoring, and give public information on PFAS levels. The systems have until 2029 to apply solutions reducing PFAS if drinking water levels exceed maximum contaminant levels. Systems violating one or more of those levels must enact solutions and notify the public. One EPA-approved solution is install- ing granular-activated carbon systems with charcoal filters to absorb certain chemicals. Gugliuzza said Fort Worth conducted a PFAS treatment study in December 2023, which evolved into designing treatment process facilities for the city’s two plants. Construction should begin in 2026 and $142 million is budgeted over a five-year period in the Capital Improvements Plan budget. Liñán said Keller is not currently testing for PFAS compounds but remains in “prepa- ration mode” with the new regulations. “Once the requirements and testing needs are clearer, we’ll be able to assess what additional needs the city has, if any, and address those as part of our annual budget discussions,” Liñán said. Wilkinson said in 2016, Roanoke Public Works created a water quality compliance position to oversee the quality of the distri- bution system. Another compliance job was created in January 2024. Carissa Katekaru, the city’s communications and marketing administrator, said the position was added “based on the increasing amount of regula- tions in water monitoring.”
Since PFAS compounds have a ubiquitous presence in everyday lives, the National Institute of Health states 98% of the U.S. population has detectable concentrations in their blood. While the EPA and cities are trying to minimize this, health officials are concerned. “We estimate there are more than 12,000 individual PFAS compounds, and unfortunately for most of them, we have basically no understanding about toxicity,” Prasse said. There are steps people can take to minimize potential exposure to PFAS. The EPA’s website states certain filtration systems can remove PFAS from drinking water, which can be installed in homes in one of two ways: • Point of entry—where water enters the home underground • Point of use—a kitchen sink or a shower Less expensive options include water pitchers and bottles with integrated filters.
Fort Worth PFAS testing results
North Holly plant
South Holly plant
EPA test limit
10
4
PFOS
PFOA
PFHxS
*NOTE: ONE PART PER TRILLION IS EQUIVALENT TO ONE DROP IN 20 OLYMPIC-SIZED SWIMMING POOLS
SOURCE: CITY OF FORT WORTH/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
Potential health effects of PFAS
“The issue, at this point, is that we don’t know what levels are concerning or lead to health effects and which don’t. That’s something that only the
Tests indicate links between PFAS and thyroid disease.
PFAS have been found in a majority of people’s blood and are linked to elevated cholesterol levels.
future will tell.” CARSTEN PRASSE,
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND ENGINEERING, JOHNS HOPKINS BLOOMBERG SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
PFAS can damage the liver.
PFAS have been linked to kidney cancers.
PFAS can also weaken the immune system and has been linked to testicular cancers.
SOURCE: AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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