Posted March 14, 2023
With the release of a proposed national primary drinking water regulation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) today, California Water Service Group’s subsidiaries are assessing the impact of the potential regulation on their water systems in California, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Washington. Group’s subsidiaries are reviewing the proposed regulation and intend to examine treatment needs in their systems; the subsidiaries are committed to complying with any eventual final regulation.
EPA’s proposed regulation calls for a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for two PFAS—PFOS and PFOA—of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) each. Four additional PFAS—PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX—would have a combined hazard index limit of 1.0; the hazard index calculation would determine if the levels of these PFAS as a mixture pose a potential risk.
Group’s largest subsidiary, Cal Water, has tested its active water sources and has protocols to comply with current state notification and response levels for certain PFAS. In the small number of cases where detections were above the response level—the level at which public health experts have recommended water suppliers take action—Cal Water took the affected sources out of service until treatment was or is installed. Additionally, Group has been developing PFAS testing plans for its other subsidiaries.
“Protecting our customers’ health and safety is our top priority,” said Martin A. Kropelnicki, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Not only have we followed existing guidelines from California regulators, we’ve gone above and beyond by testing active sources across the state and proactively developing testing plans for the other states in which we operate. Although not required, we believed it was the right thing to do.”
“When the final regulation is set for these PFAS, we will both confirm our water systems are in compliance and continue to seek ways to minimize treatment cost impacts to our customers,” Kropelnicki added.
Cal Water has filed a lawsuit to hold PFAS manufacturers responsible and avoid, to the extent possible, customers ultimately from having to bear the costs of treatment. The company plans to also seek grants where available to further offset costs.
According to Group, properly addressing PFAS issues requires a comprehensive approach. Group has urged EPA to establish a consistent, science-based PFAS standard, and has strongly supported state legislation that would prohibit the sale and use of certain PFAS-containing products; require the certification of accurate testing methods; and establish a publicly accessible database that includes PFAS sources entering water supplies.
The proposed regulation now undergoes a 60-day public comment period, after which EPA will either modify the proposed regulation and recirculate it for additional comment or continue the adoption process. If adopted as is, water providers would need to comply with the final regulation within three years of the date of adoption.
PFAS are manmade compounds that have been used to make carpets, clothing, fabrics for furniture, paper packaging for food, and other materials—such as cookware—that are resistant to water, grease, or stains. They are also used for firefighting at airfields, which is one way they found their way into the groundwater in some areas.
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