At a recent meeting of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Commissioner Pigott presented the agency’s work plan for PFAS water testing around the state.
He stressed that the agency’s main purpose was to determine the potential impact of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds affecting community public water systems in Indiana and begin a remediation response in areas that have been identified as impacted.
The investigation into potential PFAS contamination in Indiana will consist of sampling community water systems (CWS) in three phases based on the population served.
- Phase 1 – September 2020 through May 2021 - consists of 123 CWS that serve between 3,300 and 10,000 people
- Phase 2 – July 2021 through May 2022 - would consist of 570 CWS that serve less than 3,300 people
- Phase 3 – July 2022 through May 2023 - would consist of 85 CWS that serve greater than 10,000 people.
Response and Reporting
Commissioner Pigott outlined the steps the agency would take if elevated PFAS levels were found and indicated IDEM will establish response protocols for public water systems in Indiana when action levels are exceeded, including
- Public notification
- Issuance of drinking water advisories.
- If any results are greater than or equal to 50 percent of EPA Health Advisory Level, IDEM will collect confirmation samples at relevant entry points to determine the source.
- IDEM staff will review sample results and notify the source within 2 weeks.
- All PFAS sample results will be posted on IDEM's PFAS website and available to the public in a timely manner.
What are PFAS chemicals?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of manmade chemicals that have been manufactured and used by a variety of industries since 1940. Common applications of PFAS include water and stain repellant materials, as well as firefighting foams. The chemicals do not break down over time; thus, earning the nickname “forever chemicals”. While the use of older variants of PFAS have been widely discontinued, legacy uses, and a lack of commercially viable alternatives, have resulted in PFAS contamination in certain areas.
Studies indicate human exposure to PFAS chemicals above certain levels may result in adverse health effects such as cancer, immune system problems, low infant birth weights, and thyroid hormone disruption.
More information
For more information about how your industrial facility may be impacted by IDEM’s sampling plan, contact our water regulation experts at
info@corner-enviro.com