Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also know as PFAS, are a large class of synthetic chemicals used in consumer products, firefighting foams, and industrial applications due to their water and stain resistant properties. Because of these exposures, PFAS are highly persistent in the environment and human body.
Security Water District utilizes both surface and ground water sources to meet its customers’ demands. The district’s surface water source does not contain detectable levels of PFAS. However, the district’s groundwater source, the Widefield Aquifer, detected PFAS compounds during the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule in 2016. In response, the district shut down its groundwater wells and added mainline extensions to supply surface water to its customers until water treatment could be implemented.
Between 2016 and 2021, the district worked alongside the United States Airforce to design one of North America’s first full-scale PFAS mitigation facilities utilizing Ion Exchange Resin. This state-of-the-art media is scientifically formulated to strip PFAS from the water source, allowing Security Water District to deliver healthy drinking water that meets and exceeds State and EPA standards.
There is currently no regulatory mechanism to limit the amount of PFAS Security Water District can deliver to its customers. There are, however, Health Advisory Levels for the two most studied PFAS compounds, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). The Security Area Mitigation System (SAMS) has analyzed PFOA and PFOS at non-detect levels since going online in 2021.
The EPA finalized National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for six different PFAS in April of 2024, setting maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) as follows: PFOA and PFOS at 4 parts per trillion (ppt), PFNA, PFHxS, and GenX at 10 ppt, and a hazard index of 1 for mixtures of PFNA, GenX, PFHxS, and PFBS. These regulations do not go into effect until 2029.
The Security Water District, however, continuously monitors for these compounds at the SAMS facility and is happy to report they are all non-detect at the effluent of the water treatment plant prior to the distribution of water to homes and businesses in the district.
Security Water District has confirmed through service line records, visual inspections, and statistical, multi-source analysis, in accordance with State requirements, that the distribution system contains no lead or galvanized service lines requiring replacement, per the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.
Service Line Inventory
A service line is the underground pipe that carries water from the water main, likely in the street, into your home or building. If you would like to view a copy of our service line inventory or have questions about the material of your service line, contact us at 719-392-3475.