OCWD PFAS Update
October 29, 2019
The Orange County Water District (OCWD) and all water agencies in its service area operate their water systems in compliance with all state and federal guidelines and regulatory requirements. We strive to deliver safe, reliable drinking water to 2.5 million customers.
Overview
The Orange County Water District (OCWD) strives to deliver safe, reliable drinking water to 2.5 million customers every day. OCWD and the water agencies in its service area are committed to operating in compliance with all state and federal guidelines and regulatory requirements.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are chemicals that are prevalent in the environment and were once commonly used in many consumer products. 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:

Regulatory Happenings
On October 14, the State Water Resources Control Board and Division of Drinking Water posted the first quarter statewide monitoring order results on its website for PFAS. You can find the information here:  https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/pfas/

And, on November 15, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) will be hosting a webinar to provide the public with the opportunity to hear and ask questions about the toxicological and epidemiological data for evaluating the health risks of PFOA and PFOS. The webinar is from 9AM to 12PM and is public and free to attend. Click  here  to register. The webinar agenda will be available  here  shortly.

OEHHA is holding the webinar in connection with its initiation of the development of Public Health Goals for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. OEHHA is inviting the public to submit information on these chemicals 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
OCWD and its consultant, Jacobs, are working to install the pilots into the new building and are finalizing the design of the pilot test. It’s anticipated that pilot testing will begin in November. 

After receiving submissions for its Request for Proposals for a PFAS Treatment Systems Planning Study, OCWD has selected Carollo Engineers to lead the Study. The goal of the Planning Study is to help OCWD and its 11 retail agencies who may require treatment for their groundwater wells. The Planning Study will assess the number of wells impacted, location of wells, and areas available for a treatment system(s).

Earlier this month, OCWD and retail agencies met with Intertox to discuss regulatory changes and the science related to PFAS as a follow up to its meeting with regulators on September 24. OCWD will continue to work with Intertox and the state as further regulatory changes are considered. 

OCWD also continues to work with other stakeholders throughout the state to share information and updates on PFAS issues. Upcoming presentations include:

SAWPA EC Task Force on November 13
ACWA Fall Conference December 3-6
State Water Resources Control Board PFAS Summit December 4-5

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.