High levels of PFAS found in two Princeton wells
High levels of per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) were identified in Princeton’s Water Treatment Plant 2.
Due to new regulations implemented by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday, April 10, designating a maximum level of the chemicals allowed in drinking water, Princeton’s wells 8 and 9 were both identified as having levels of PFAS above the allowable federal levels. The new standard is set at four parts per trillion.
PFAS are man-made, long-lasting chemicals that are often used in consumer products. Those chemicals can be found in soil, water, air, and food around the world because they break down slowly over time.
According to the PPU website, PFAS chemicals are used in the following common items:
- Water-repellent clothing, non-stick cookware, paints, sealants, wood stain, and some personal care products.
- Food packaging: including grease resistant paper, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes and candy wrappers.
- Food: including fish caught from water contaminated by PFAS and dairy products from livestock exposed to PFAS.
- Firefighting foam in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) used to extinguish flammable liquid-based fires.
- Biosolids: for example fertilizer from wastewater treatment plants that is used on agricultural lands can affect ground and surface water and animals that graze on the land.
The making, use, and waste of the above items can cause the chemicals to bleed into the environment, which is how they end up in drinking water systems like Princeton’s.
According to PPU, “because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world and are present at low levels in a variety of food products and in the environment.”
“Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals,” PPU stated.
Despite the chemicals being found in the water systems, PPU reassures residents that Princeton’s drinking water is still safe to drink under current guidelines.
“There have been no changes to PPU’s drinking water and we continue to meet the federal State Drinking Water Act,” PPU stated in a press release.
According to the EPA, it is also not recommended that communities switch to bottled water.
“At this time, EPA is not recommending bottled water for communities based solely on concentrations of these chemicals in drinking water that exceed the health advisory levels,” PPU states on its website. “EPA notes that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not established standards for PFOA, PFOS, GenX chemicals, or PFBS in bottled water at this time.”
With the implementation of the new standards for PFAS chemicals, public water systems have three years to conduct PFAS testing and an additional two years before they are required to meet the new standards.
According to the PPU, no immediate actions are required and the announcement of the new standards was made to allow communities the time to plan for changes.
“Through voluntary collaboration, we have identified elevated levels of PFAS in Wells #8 and #9 on the south end of town located west of US-169 on South Rum River Drive near Crystal Drive,” PPU stated in a press release. “Due to the work that has been completed over the last couple of years, Minnesota and PPU are in a better position to address this issue than most states.”
Princeton is not the only community in Minnesota to have identified high levels of PFAS chemicals. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, at least 22 communities have been identified, including Pease, Waite Park, and Sauk Rapids.
PPU is currently working with the Minnesota Department of Health to plan and host a public meeting in the upcoming weeks to provide additional information and answer questions. PPU encourages customers and private well owners in nearby townships to attend. The date and time of the meeting will be shared on the PPU Facebook page and on its website when available.
“PPU remains committed to the health and safety of our community (and) to treating PFAS,” PPU stated.
More information about PFAS chemicals, including resources and Princeton’s drinking water report, can be found at https://tinyurl.com/4wc4ferh.
Reach Chloe Smith at chloe.smith@apgecm.com
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