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SALT LAKE CITY — Water samples collected from two Salt Lake City groundwater wells late last year came back with "low concentrations" of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, but Salt Lake City Public Utilities officials say they haven't been found in the public water supply.
About 7.8 parts per trillion of PFAS were found in the 4th Avenue well during the department's testing of the system under the Environmental Protection Agency's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule program in October, according to Laura Briefer, the department's director.
That triggered a second test in November, which found 7.1 parts per trillion. Traces of PFAS were also found in the city's 500 South well. It's unclear where the PFAS originated, and that is something still under investigation, Briefer said.
The 500 South well, near the Veterans Administration Hospital, hasn't been active in years because of its proximity to a listed superfund site, while the 4th Avenue well, near Memory Grove, is traditionally used seasonally to help with the city's "summer peak demand," according to the department. Briefer said the well was already shut off for the season when the PFAS were found, and it has not resumed operations since.
The well was replaced a few years ago and moved above ground inside a pump house also newly built.
"Given the impacts and national attention associated with exposure to these forever chemicals, we take this finding seriously," she said in a statement Thursday. "Our highest priority is our community's trust in the reliability and quality of the drinking water supply. We will work closely with our community, the Utah Division of Drinking Water and the EPA on our next steps."
PFAS, often referred to as "forever chemicals," are a cluster of thousands of man-made substances originally created in the 1940s. They're common in items like nonstick cookware, firefighting foam and clothing. Since the chemicals are so prevalent in modern-day products, the EPA notes low traces of many PFAS are found in the blood of humans and animals across the world.
But the agency adds there have been scientific studies linking some PFAS in the environment, including water, to "harmful health effects in humans and animals." These include reproductive and immune system issues and some cancers.
It doesn't currently have a regulatory limit on the amount found in drinking water at the moment, but Salt Lake City Public Utilities started testing for some PFAS in 2013 anyway. Department officials said the October and November tests were the first discovery of PFAS in the system, which includes other parts of Salt Lake County.
Briefer said she believes the EPA may introduce new regulations as early as this year as more research is conducted. The Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule focuses on testing unregulated contaminants at the moment, including 29 types of PFAS and lithium.
Lithium was also found in the city's samples, but Briefer said it wasn't a surprise, as it's a naturally occurring mineral.
Salt Lake City isn't alone in the issue, either. PFAS have been found in 26 of the 85 water systems statewide, per the Utah Division of Drinking Water.
Nathan Lunstad, the division's director, said he applauds Salt Lake City Public Utilities for being transparent about the recent finding. He said the division will continue to "work closely" with Salt Lake City to ensure "safe and reliable drinking water is provided to the community."
In the meantime, Briefer said there are steps people can take if they are concerned about PFAS. She points out many water filters, including those in a refrigerator or pitcher, can reduce or remove some PFAS substances, depending on the filter technology or how it's installed.
