ABOUT PFAS
According to California State Water Resources Control Board, PFAS are a large group of manmade chemicals commonly found in consumer and industrial products. PFAS stands for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances.
PFAS are widely used for a variety of home and industrial uses because they are resistant to heat, water, and oil.
They are commonly found in every American household in products, such as non-stick cookware, cosmetics, cardboard and furniture.
Two types of PFAS, called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), are no longer manufactured in the United States, although they are still produced internationally and used in many types of imported consumers goods. Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) has been used as a replacement to PFOS.
PFAS are known as a "constituent of emerging concern" because they take a very long time to break down and have been found in drinking water sources.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT PFAS?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
- 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.
- PFAS are found in water, air, fish, and soil at locations across the nation and the globe.
- Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.
WHAT DOES THE CITY DO ABOUT PFAS?
The City of Sacramento Department of Utilities monitors drinking water 24/7 and does extensive testing at each of its drinking water sources – especially groundwater wells – for PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS.
If a water source exceeds guidelines for PFAS, it is taken out of the City’s water distribution system.
IS MY WATER SAFE TO DRINK?
Yes. The City of Sacramento’s drinking water continues to meet all Federal and State drinking water standards and is safe to drink.
For detailed information on the City of Sacramento’s drinking water quality, visit the City of Sacramento Water Quality Data Portal, or download the latest Consumer Confidence Report.
WHO SETS GUIDELINES FOR PFAS?
The California State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water sets reporting guidelines for PFAS. In addition, the Board also announced it has begun the process of establishing regulatory standards for these chemicals.
The Environmental Protection Agency issues advisories for substances such as PFAS and recently lowered health advisories for PFOA and PFOS.
City staff will continue to work with its regulating agency, the State Water Resources Control Board, to ensure it continues to meet Federal and State drinking water standards, including changes to PFAS regulations.
WHAT ARE THE REPORTING GUIDELINES FOR PFAS?
There are two types of reporting guidelines for PFAS, a "notification level" and a "response level."
Notification levels and response levels are not actionable regulatory requirements, but are guidance levels set by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
The guidelines are based on health recommendations by the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
- Notification levels are set to 6.5 parts per trillion for PFOS, 5.1 part per trillion for PFOA and 500 parts per trillion for PFBS. If those levels are exceeded in drinking water, City staff will notify the Sacramento City Council.
- Response levels are set to 40 parts per trillion for PFOS, 10 parts per trillion for PFOA, and 5,000 parts per trillion for PFBS. If those levels are exceeded, the State Water Resources Control Board advises that water agencies take actions, such as treatment or well shut-off.
WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION?
For the latest State and Federal PFAS information, visit the California State Water Resources Control Board or the US EPA.