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Wixom staff say PFOA near drinking advisory level; city treats intake and expects tighter permit limits
Summary
Council members asked about PFOA/PFAS results in the city's water report. Staff said a local sample reading of 7.8 parts per trillion is below the cited 8 ppt level, that the city's NPDES discharge permit limit is 11 ppt, and that future permit rounds and EPA action may lower limits.
During review of departmental reports, a council member asked staff about per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and PFOA levels reported in the city’s water report. Council Member Chroma Fox asked specifically about PFOA levels and noted a cited acceptable level of 8 parts per trillion (ppt) and a city sample reading of 7.8 ppt.
Mister Sickma, a city staff member who addressed the report, explained that the city’s NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit currently sets a discharge limit at 11 ppt for the receiving stream. He said the city’s treatment processes further reduce contaminants so the water entering customers’ taps is effectively treated toward nondetectable levels. Sickma said the NPDES permit limits apply to the plant’s discharge and that the city’s drinking water is further treated and monitored.
Staff noted multiple domestic sources contribute PFAS into the collection system (consumer products), and typical samples in domestic collection areas often show low single‑digit ppt levels. Sickma said the EPA and permitting authorities are expected to push limits lower in future permit rounds and that the city expects to respond accordingly. He described the level as “a number of concern” but said current readings remain within present permit limits.
Why it matters: PFAS/PFOA are subject to evolving federal and state regulation and are measured in both drinking water and wastewater discharges. The council’s questions focused on whether current readings are near advisory or regulatory thresholds and how the city’s permit and treatment processes address those contaminants.
Next steps: Staff indicated they will continue monitoring PFAS/PFOA concentrations, comply with NPDES permit conditions, and implement treatment changes as regulations and permit requirements evolve.
