TOC

C A RY, N O RT H C A R O L I N A A N N U A L WAT E R Q U A L I T Y R E P O R T 2 0 2 2 13 W H AT A R E P FAS C O M P O U N D S ? Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a class of man-made chemicals used for consumer product applications such as waterproof and stainproof fabrics, nonstick cookware, some food packaging materials, and fire suppression foams. In addition to our already extensive water treatment process, Cary consistently feeds powdered activated carbon, which has been effective at reducing PFAS in drinking water. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are two PFAS compounds believed to have adverse health effects at very low concentrations. Because of these properties, PFOA and PFOS were phased out of production by U.S. manufacturers in the mid-2000s. The EPA has stated that approximately 80% of a person's overall exposure to PFAS comes from consumer goods such as cookware, cosmetics, food wrappings, stain/water-resistant clothing, and carpet and furniture treatments. A R E P FAS R E G U L AT E D ? Currently, the EPA and the State of North Carolina do not have enforceable drinking water limits for PFAS. The EPA set the new interim health advisory levels on June 15, 2022, for PFOS at 0.02 parts per trillion (ppt) and PFOA at 0.004 ppt. EPA also set final Health Advisories of 10 ppt for Hexafluoropropylene Oxide Dimer Acid (HFPO-DA or GenX) and 2000 ppt for Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS). Cary has never detected GenX in our water. As mentioned earlier, health advisories are not enforceable drinking water regulations. Then on March 14, 2023, EPA announced its proposed national drinking water standards, also known as Maximum Contaminant Levels or MCLs for PFOA and PFOS. The announcement now starts public comment and scientific review processes that will take place over the next several months. After these processes are complete, the EPA's final drinking water standards may differ from the proposed MCLs and have an effective date set in the future so water providers will have time to meet the new standards. D O E S C A RY 'S WAT E R M E E T N E W P R O P O S E D R E G U L AT O RY S TA N DA R D S ? Yes. The proposed MCLs — 4.0 parts per trillion for PFOA and 4.0 parts per trillion for PFOS — are extremely low target levels, however, Cary's drinking water has consistently tested below these targets over several years since we began our proactive monitoring and testing plan. Cary's drinking water already meets the proposed MCLs today because we operate an advanced water treatment facility with multiple-barrier processes, such as ozonation and powdered activated carbon (PAC) treatment.

• Cover