At Clay County Utility Authority (CCUA), it is our mission to develop an environmentally and economically sustainable utility that is focused on protecting the public health, safety, and general welfare by providing clean and safe potable water, wastewater, and reclaimed water services. Recently, CCUA has received calls from customers with questions regarding news articles and media outlets addressing the health effects of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). PFAS were sampled for in the Orange Park Grid in 2013, as required by EPA, and were not present. Below is information about PFAS and CCUA’s required sampling schedule.
Has CCUA ever sampled for PFAS?
Yes, PFAS were sampled for in the Orange Park Grid in 2013, as required by EPA, and were not present.
What are PFAS?
PFAS are a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s because of their useful properties. There are thousands of different PFAS, some of which have been more widely used and studied than others.
- There are thousands of PFAS chemicals, and they are found in many different consumer, commercial, and industrial products. This makes it challenging to study and assess the potential human health and environmental risks.
- Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.
Where are PFAS found?
There are thousands of PFAS chemicals, originating from manufacturing or chemical production facilities. PFAS have been used in products such as food packaging, personal care products, and firefighting foam. These products and uses can cause PFAS to be found in our water, soil, air, and food.
PFAS can be present in our water, soil, air, and food as well as in materials found in our homes or workplaces, including
- Soil and water at or near waste sites
- Fire extinguishing foam
- Manufacturing or chemical production facilities that produce or use PFAS
- Food
- Food Packaging
- Household Products
- Household Dust
- Personal Care Products
Why are PFAS called ‘forever chemicals’?
PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time.
What is EPA doing to Increase the Understanding of Risks to Human Health and How to Remove PFAS in the Environment?
- Researchers are developing new and more effective laboratory methods to find, identify, and measure PFAS in the air, water, ground water, wastewater, soil, and more. These methods will help EPA better understand which PFAS are currently in the environment, at what levels, and how people might be exposed.
- Researchers are studying the effectiveness of various technologies at removing PFAS from drinking water. This work helps the people who manage water treatment facilities make informed choices about methods or technologies to use. Researchers are also studying the effectiveness of household water filters so that people have the information they need for their own home.
- EPA has proposed to establish legally enforceable levels for six PFAS known to occur in drinking water.
What are EPA’s PFAS Sampling Requirements for Drinking Water Systems?
- The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires that once every five years EPA issue a list of unregulated contaminants to be monitored by public water systems (PWSs).
- The fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) was published on December 27, 2021
- UCMR 5 requires sample collection for 30 chemical contaminants (29 PFAS and lithium) between 2023 and 2025 using analytical methods developed by EPA and consensus organizations.
- This action provides EPA and other interested parties with scientifically valid data on the national occurrence of these contaminants in drinking water.
UCMR 5 Monitoring Scope
- All public water systems serving 3,300 people or more are required to conduct PFAS sampling during their EPA-assigned sampling periods
- EPA randomly selected 800 public water systems serving less than 3,300 to sample PFAS.
- Systems required to conduct UCMR 5 sampling must collect samples at the entry point to the distribution system (i.e., where the water leaves the drinking water plant). Samples must be collected by State-Certified Laboratory Personnel.
Does CCUA sample for PFAS?
Yes, CCUA samples for PFAS as required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. EPA requires selected drinking water systems throughout the country to sample for PFAS over the next 3 years. This is when and where CCUA will be sampling:
| Drinking Water System |
First Set |
Second Set
|
| Orange park Grid |
July 2024 |
January 2025 |
| Pace Fleming Grid |
February 2025 |
August 2025 |
| Lake Asbury Grid |
October 2023 |
April 2024 |
| Keystone Postmaster Grid |
February 2025 |
August 2025 |
| Ravines |
May 2024 |
November 2024 |
Are there PFAS in CCUA’s water?
There were no PFAS detected in CCUA’s water when sampling was conducted in 2013. CCUA is required to conduct sampling again at some of its facilities over the next 3 years. If PFAS are detected, CCUA customers will be notified through the annual Water Quality Report.
Will CCUA come out and sample my home for PFAS?
No. To meet Environmental Protection Agency and Florida Department of Environmental Protection requirements, PFAS must be sampled at the entry point to the distribution, which is at the drinking water plant. PFAS samples must be collected using EPA standard operating procedures. State certified laboratories have personnel trained in EPA’s approved procedures.
Where can I get more information?
Google ‘EPA PFAS’ or click on the links below: