PFAS
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a group of over 4,000 manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s because of their useful properties including their resistance to grease, oil, water, and heat. Since there are thousands of different PFAS chemicals, some have been more widely used and studied than others. One common characteristic of concern of PFAS is the slow breakdown and potential to build up in people, animals, and the environment over time.
PFAS investigations and cleanup sites in Island County
- Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Drinking Water Investigation
- See What's In My Neighborhood for MTCA PFAS Cleanup Sites in Island County
Home-Filter Systems
There are two types of home-filter systems: point-of-use (POU) and whole-house filters. Washington State Department of Health maintains a list of approved filters for Home Water Treatment .
Public Water System Monitoring Results and Water Testing Resources
PFAS testing results for Group A (and some Group B) drinking water systems in Washington state are available through the Washington Department of Health PFAS Testing Results Dashboard and through the Island County Hydrogeology Database.
The Washington Department of Health has a list of labs capable of testing for PFAS in drinking water (Accredited Labs that Test Public Drinking Water Samples for PFAS).
Current Status of Drinking Water Regulations
On April 10, 2024, EPA announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS, establishing legally enforceable levels, called Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). The 2024 final PFAS MCL includes PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA as contaminants with individual MCLs, and PFAS mixtures containing at least two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS using a Hazard Index MCL to account for the combined and co-occurring levels of these PFAS in drinking water. EPA also finalized health-based, non-enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) for these PFAS.
On April 10, 2024, Washington State Department of Health announced the PFAS State Action Levels will continue to be in place until the Washington State Board of Health adopts the new federal MCLs, which could take up to two years (DOH PFAS Press Release).
Washington State PFAS Information
- Washington State Department of Ecology
- Model Toxics Control Act Clean-up process - Washington State Department of Ecology
- Soil and groundwater cleanup levels
- Draft Guidance for Investigating and Remediating PFAS Contamination in Washington State.
- Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Chemical Action Plan=
- PFAS - Washington State Department of Ecology
- Safer Products for Washington
- Washington Department of Health:
Federal PFAS Information
- Final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS
- Designation of PFOA and PFOS as CERCLA Hazardous Substances
- General PFAS Information from Environmental Protection Agency:
Other Resources
- Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC): PFAS — Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (itrcweb.org)