OCWD PFAS Regulatory, Legislative and Outreach News

OCWD PFAS Update

November 20, 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:

Fact Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

Regulatory Happenings

Comments on the Draft National Toxicology Program (NTP) Report on Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of PFOA were due today. OCWD submitted a comment letter viewable here . NTP will host a webcast peer-review meeting about the draft study on December 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. Online registration is available here .

On November 15, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) held a webinar about the toxicological and epidemiological data for evaluating the health risks of PFOA and PFOS, in connection to the development of Public Health Goals (PHG) for the two chemicals. OCWD participated in the webinar and will be submitting a follow up comment letter to OEHHA and the State Water Resources Control Board as part of the PHG process.

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

Third quarter testing for PFAS in wells throughout Orange County is now complete, and we anticipate fourth quarter testing to begin in January of 2020. Today, OCWD water quality staff was ready and waiting to capture runoff from this year’s first storm event. The District will test stormwater runoff from the Santa Ana River to determine how the first event potentially impacts PFAS levels in the basin.

OCWD is preparing to launch its pilot study in the coming weeks. 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 14 different products to determine which applications are best suited for Orange County’s diverse aquifer water quality and geochemistry. OCWD and water retailers have been collaborating over the past several months in designing and building the program and anticipate the pilot will help as we try to solve the problem of PFAS in groundwater.

Carollo Engineers and OCWD launched its PFAS Treatment Systems Planning Study earlier this month and will begin meeting with individual retailers starting November 21.

OCWD’s Board of Directors will consider adopting the Per- and Polyfluorolkyl Substances Response Program Policy at its meeting tonight. The potential program was designed to financially assist retailers in complying with any new PFAS regulations. The meeting agenda can be viewed here .

OCWD also continues to work with other stakeholders throughout the state to share information and updates on PFAS issues. Upcoming events that District staff will participate in or 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.

Bloomberg Environment: PFAS found in half of Kentucky water systems tested

Environmental Defense Fund: FDA’s updated results for PFAS in food suggest progress but raise questions about its method

Department of Defense: PFAS – A National Issue that Needs National Solutions

Washington Post Live: Dark Waters - A conversation with Mark Ruffalo, Rob Bilott and Emily Donovan

E&E News: Trump charts a regulatory path through 2020

E&E News: Pelosi ramps up fight over PFAS in defense bill

The Hill: House committee advances sweeping legislation to battle ‘forever chemicals’

Click here for more info on PFOA / PFOS