Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of manufactured chemicals used in industrial and consumer products since the 1940s because they are resistant to heat, water, and oil. They break down very slowly; accumulate in humans, animals, and the environment; and have been linked to harmful health effects. Of the thousands of different PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are the most widely used and studied.

In February 2021, Georgia EPD initiated a new PFAS monitoring project. The first phase of sampling focuses on the Coosa and Tennessee basins, where EPD has requested systems sample the finished drinking water at all surface water public drinking water systems and all groundwater public drinking water system serving a population of 500 or more. KMCL has been monitoring the results posted at https://gaepd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=e8f2c6a51c1c41088002350f1eabe598.

As of October 27, 2021, results were available for 44 of the total 110 public water systems included in the first phase of sampling. Thirty-six of the systems had PFOA and PFOS below reporting limits. Although none of the eight systems with PFOA and PFOS above reporting limits exceeded the seventy parts per trillion (ppt) advisory set by the EPA, the Brittany Drive Water Plant in Gordon County’s sampling result was sixty-five ppt. The other notable results were from the Bruce Hamler Water Plant in Floyd (56 ppt), Eton Spring Plant in Murray (54 ppt), Mill Creek Water Plant in Whitfield (34 ppt), Well #1 Plant and Well #2 Plant in Bartow (27 and 33 ppt, respectively), Mauldin Road Water Plant in Gordon (11 ppt), and 704 S Depot-Ringgold Water Plant in Catoosa (5.3 ppt).

KMCL is committed to monitoring PFAS developments to assist clients in making informed decisions regarding this new, emerging contaminant of concern. We encourage you to follow us on LinkedIn for updates.