Carmel Utilities working to keep city drinking water safe from PFAS

By JOHN DUFFY
Guest Columnist

As Director of Utilities for the City of Carmel, preserving the health and safety of our water supply is one of my top priorities. I often get asked how we are protecting our residents from harmful chemicals that are being reported as a concern to drinking water.

Lately, many have had growing concerns about polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are more commonly known as PFAS or PFOS.

Carmel Utilities have been actively engaged in both regulatory and voluntary sampling efforts, conducted at different intervals, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the presence of PFAS compounds. Put simply, our test results to date are below the standards set in the new rule the EPA recently implemented that would require utility companies to monitor for these PFAS, notify the public of the levels of these PFAS and reduce the levels of these PFAS in drinking water if they exceed the proposed standards.

We want to reassure our community that we are fully attentive to the recently issued requirements and are steadfastly committed to safeguarding the safety of Carmel’s drinking water.

Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been widely used in industrial and consumer applications since the 1950s to increase oil- and water-repellency. For those who haven’t heard of PFAS, imagine you spill a glass of water on a table. When the water hits the table, it just beads up and doesn’t soak in. This, essentially, is what PFAS were meant to do.

These chemicals were used in a lot of everyday items, such as non-stick pans, waterproof clothing, household detergents and even some food packaging. But why does this matter now? Well, these chemicals do not break down very easily and stick around in the environment, meaning they can end up in our water, soil, and even in the food we eat.

Though U.S. production of some of these chemicals has declined, many are still produced in other countries. As a result, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has added certain PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory while also developing rules to regulate exposures of certain PFAS and increase the amount of PFAs subject to reporting.

While we can confidently affirm our compliance with the EPA’s latest regulations, it’s crucial to acknowledge that our understanding of PFAS, and its potential impacts, continues to evolve. We will continue to keep the community informed and the results from the latest testing will be available in the 2023 Water Quality Report. By staying abreast of the latest scientific advancements, along with current and future regulations, we can continuously enhance our knowledge and implement the necessary measures to uphold the cleanliness and safety of our drinking water.

John Duffy serves as the Director of Utilities for the City of Carmel.