Understanding PFAS: A Closer Look at Emerging Chemicals
At the forefront of our environmental vigilance are Per-/Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), a group of synthetic chemicals prevalent in numerous products over the past seven decades. Found in non-stick pans, waterproof garments, food packaging, and firefighting foams, PFAS are valued for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. This same resilience, however, makes PFAS a concern for the environment, as they do not quickly degrade.
Ensuring your water’s safety and quality is our top priority. As part of our commitment to keeping you informed about water safety and public health matters, LACWD actively monitors PFAS levels in our water supply. We collaborate with state and federal agencies and water quality specialists to provide you with the latest information and resources on PFAS.
PFAS Drinking Water Regulations
A few different agencies are involved in drinking water regulations in California: California State Water Board Division of Drinking Water (DDW), US Environmental Protection Agency, and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA).
Maximum Contaminant Levels
In March 2023, the US EPA took a key step to protect public health by proposing national drinking water maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for six PFAS known to occur in drinking water. This regulation would require public water systems to monitor for these PFAS, notify the public of the levels of these PFAS, and reduce the levels of these PFAS in drinking water if they exceed the proposed levels. The regulation has not yet been established but is expected to be finalized in the near future
Proposed Maximum Contaminant Levels
ppt = parts per trillion
Hazard Index is a tool used to evaluate potential health risks from exposure to chemical mixtures
Notification and Response Levels
In September 2020, California State Water Board Division of Drinking Water (DDW) issued an order to certain systems (based on their proximity to potential sources of PFAS) to perform quarterly monitoring for four types of PFAS.
California State Water Board Division of Drinking Water also established tiers of advisory levels for certain PFAS:
- Notification Levels are health-based advisory levels at which, according to the California Health and Safety Code, do not pose a significant health risk based on available scientific information but warrant notification of governing bodies.
- Response Levels are action-based advisory levels, which require water systems to take one of the following actions:
- Take the source out of service
- Utilize treatment or blending
- Provide public notification.
PFAS Advisory Levels
ppt = parts per trillion
Public Health Goals
In 2021, the Office of Environmental Health and Hazard Assessment released draft Public Health Goals (also known as PHGs) for two PFAS: PFOA and PFOS. These Public Health Goals are levels / concentration of drinking water contaminants that at stated levels or below pose no significant health risk, based on current risk assessment principles, practices, and methods.
ppt = parts per trillion
Lifetime Health Advisory Levels
In June 2022, the US EPA released interim Lifetime Health Advisories (LHAs) for PFOA and PFOS. The interim health advisories will provide guidance to water systems for the period prior to the MCLs going into effect. In addition, they released final Lifetime Health Advisories for two other PFAS: perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid and its ammonium salts (GenX). Similar to Public Health Goals, Lifetime Health Advisories identify the concentration of a contaminant in drinking water at which adverse health effects are not anticipated to occur over a lifetime.
ppt = parts per trillion
How does LACWD keep me safe from PFAS
LACWD is committed to making sure our customers have clean, safe drinking water. We have not only complied with all relevant requirements, but we have gone above and beyond to test and monitor your drinking water to ensure public health.
Testing and Monitoring
In September 2020, California State Water Board Division of Drinking Water (DDW) issued an order to certain systems (based on their proximity to potential sources of PFAS) to perform quarterly testing and monitoring for four types of PFAS. LACWD has complied with all applicable orders.
As of the latest General Order that was issued in 2022, LACWD is only required to monitor 3 wells for PFAS quarterly. In addition to complying with this order, LACWD investigated how much PFAS was in our existing water supply. As a part of this investigation, we sampled all groundwater wells for PFAS. From this voluntary and proactive sampling, almost all of LACWD’s wells did not detect any PFAS.
Transparency
Whenever there is a PFAS detection that exceeds a Notification Level, LACWD has notified our own governing body as well as the governing body of any local agency whose jurisdiction includes areas supplied with drinking water from LACWD, as required by California Health and Safety Code Section 116455. Any PFAS detections have been reported in LACWD’s annual water quality reports (also known as Consumer Confidence Reports) which can be accessed by scrolling below on this webpage.
PFAS Frequently Asked Questions
What are PFAS?
Per-/Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of human-made chemicals that can be found in nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging, and firefighting foams. PFAS have been used in a variety of industries since the 1940s.
Are PFAS harmful to health?
We are still learning about the health effects of PFAS; private, state and federal research and health agencies are working on it right now. PFOA and PFOS (specific PFAS) have been the most extensively produced and studied of these chemicals. Both are very persistent in the environment and in the human body—meaning they don’t break down and they accumulate over time with exposure. Long-term exposure to certain PFAS compounds has been associated with adverse health effects, including developmental issues, immune system dysfunction, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Lower levels of PFAS do not pose a significant health risk based on available scientific information.
Are PFAS present in our water supply?
Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts (LACWD) regularly samples our water supply for PFAS. So far, only low-levels have been found in a few specific regions. No regions have reached more than the California State Water Board Division of Drinking Water’s response level for each PFAS. Any detections will be reported in our annual water quality report, also known as our annual consumer confidence report.
What regulation for PFAS exists?
Drinking water regulations for PFAS are still being established. However, the California State Water Board Division of Drinking Water has established Notification Levels and Response Levels for certain PFAS. Notification Levels are health-based advisory levels at which PFAS do not pose a significant health risk based on available scientific information (according to the California Health and Safety Code). Response Levels are action-based advisory levels, which require water systems to take one of the following actions:
- Take the source out of service
- Utilize treatment or blending, or
- Provide public notification
Is there anything currently unknown about PFAS?
We are closely following the emerging research about PFAS and public health, and any updates will be made to this webpage. Researchers across the country are working hard to answer critical questions about PFAS, including but not limited to how to better and more efficiently detect and measure PFAS in our water, how harmful PFAS are to people and the environment, how to remove PFAS from drinking water, and how to manage and dispose of PFAS.
Do I need a water filter or any type of additional filtration for PFAS?
The water we deliver to your home meets all federal and state standards for drinking water and is safe to drink. If you are still concerned, you may want to consider a filter. You can have your water tested at your local health department.
Should I drink bottled water
The water we deliver t-go your home meets all federal and state standards for drinking water and is safe to drink. If you are still concerned, you may want to consider a filter. You can have your water tested at your local health department.
What is being done to protect public health from PFAS within LACWD?
We are continuously monitoring PFAS at certain wells based on their proximity to airports, U.S. Department of Defense sites, landfills, and other sources with known PFAS detections. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. We have not come close to exceeding any Response Levels for PFAS. Although no action has been required, we may consider treatment in the future if PFAS levels are detected at elevated levels. We closely follow new information developed by research and health agencies on PFAS, and all emerging contaminants, to ensure your health.
Additional Resources
As PFAS are still under research and investigation, there are still some things that are unknown. We are closely following the emerging research about PFAS and public health, and any updates will be made to this webpage. For more information, please contact JJang@dpw.lacounty.gov or customer service at (877) 637-3661 or view one of the following resources: