Wisconsin's PFAS Standards for Drinking Water Take Effect

Tuesday, August 9th, 2022 -- 8:06 AM

(By Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio) As Wisconsin’s PFAS standards for drinking water take effect, state regulators are requiring water systems to notify customers about any detections of the so-called forever chemicals.

In February, the Natural Resources Board signed off on a drinking water standard of 70 parts per trillion for two of the most common PFAS chemicals: PFOA and PFOS. Republican lawmakers didn’t object to new regulation, and it took effect this week.

Now, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is requiring those systems to notify customers of any PFAS that’s detected after the U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency released interim health advisory limits for PFAS in June.

Federal regulators issued unenforceable limits of 4 parts per quadrillion of PFOA and 20 parts per quadrillion of PFOS. Those levels are thousands of times lower than the state’s standard.

"We're recommending that they share that information with their consumers in a timely matter," said Steve Elmore, director of the DNR’s Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau. "It is a requirement that they include any detects of those substances in their Consumer Confidence Report, which is an annual publication that highlights the water quality of the system."

PFAS are a class of thousands of synthetic chemicals found in firefighting foam and everyday products. Research has shown they’re linked to serious health effects that include increased risk of kidney and testicular cancers, thyroid disease and fertility issues.

The chemicals have also been tied to reduced response to vaccines. While regulators urge systems to notify customers, Elmore noted one complicating factor is that most labs can’t detect the chemicals at the EPA’s advisory limits.

The state’s current methods for measuring PFAS can only identify the chemicals down to about 1 part per trillion. The shifting values and requirements has been frustrating for Chris Groh, executive director of the Wisconsin Rural Water Association. The group represents small public water utilities.

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