OCWD PFAS Regulatory, Legislative and Outreach News

OCWD PFAS Update

December 5, 2019

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are chemicals that are prevalent in the environment and were once commonly used in many consumer products. They are part of a larger group referred to as per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Due to the prolonged use of PFOA and PFOS, the chemicals are now being detected in water sources throughout the United States.

Overview

The Orange County Water District (OCWD; District) provides safe, reliable drinking water to 2.5 million people. OCWD and the water agencies in its service area are committed to operating in compliance with all state and federal and guidelines and regulatory requirements.

Through an ongoing investigation, California and many other states have found that PFAS have made their way into our groundwater, particularly near airports and military bases where these chemicals are commonly used.

OCWD and local water retailers are actively engaged with federal and state regulators and elected and appointed officials on this issue. As part of its commitment to transparency, OCWD provides regular PFAS updates to community stakeholders.

For more background information, please see the materials below:

New! OCWD PFAS Video

New! NACWA PFAS Guide

Fact Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

Regulatory Happenings

The State Water Resources Control Board is holding a technical summit this week on PFAS. Read more about the speakers and topics of discussion here . Representatives from OCWD participated in the summit to ask questions on behalf of water retailers in Orange County.

And as previously shared, OEHHA is inviting the public to submit information on PFOA and PFOS that could assist in evaluating their health risks by January 15, 2020. More information about this data call-in is available by clicking here .

Local Activities

This week OCWD announced the launch of its PFAS pilot program, which is the largest of its kind in the nation. The goal of the pilot program is to help retail water agencies in Orange County determine the best treatment methods available to them. Through the program, OCWD will be testing different types of granular activated carbon (GAC) and ion exchange (IX) products, as well as novel adsorbents just emerging in the market, to determine which applications are best suited for Orange County’s diverse aquifer water quality and geochemistry. All of the treatment methods are expected to remove PFAS from groundwater to below detectable levels. To learn more, please see the press release issued announcing the pilot .

New Video!

Along with the rollout of the new pilot program, OCWD has released a new video about how the District is addressing the PFAS problem in Orange County. Be sure to check out the video here .

The OCWD Board of Directors also adopted a new Per- and Polyfluorolkyl Substances (PFAS) Response Program Policy at its meeting on November 20, 2019. The program will financially assist retailers in complying with any new PFAS regulations. The meeting agenda can be viewed here . The policy recognizes that OCWD has the technical staff and financial resources to quickly design and construct PFAS treatment systems that may be required to meet drinking water standards.

OCWD also continues to work with other stakeholders throughout the state to share information and updates on PFAS issues. December events that District staff has or will attend include:

ACWA Fall Conference, December 3-6

State Water Resources Control Board PFAS Summit, December 4-5

NTP Webinar, December 12

For more information on upcoming events, please contact Gina Ayala .

Media

PFOA and PFOS are not exclusive to Orange County or even California. States across the country are in the midst of tackling PFAS in consumer products, groundwater supplies and other forms of contact. OCWD continues to monitor what is happening around the country on this issue.

PR Newswire: Orange County Water District Launches the Nation's Largest PFAS Pilot Program to Identify a Local Treatment Remedy to Remove PFAS From Groundwater

Bloomberg Environment: Blood monitoring for PFAS in California expands

San Jose Spotlight: San Jose Water Company shut off wells contaminated with PFAS chemicals

JD Supra: PFAS bill passes house committee

USA Today: White House, CDC feuding over study of toxic chemicals in drinking water

Click here for more info on PFOA / PFOS