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Wausau utility officials say city water remains at or below federal 4 ppt PFOS guidance as EPA updates approach
Summary
At a June 3 Wausau Water Works Commission meeting, staff reviewed recent EPA messaging on PFAS and said local drinking water results remain at or below the 4 parts-per-trillion PFOS level; commissioners were told more federal guidance and data are expected.
Wausau utility staff briefed the Wausau Water Works Commission on June 3 about recent federal activity on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and said local drinking water currently measures at or below a federal 4 parts-per-trillion (ppt) level for PFOS.
The briefing matters because federal decisions on PFAS standards could affect testing, reporting and future utility work. Commissioner Robinson said the Environmental Protection Agency appears not to be changing the 4 ppt benchmark for PFOS and that most sites with those two compounds also show additional PFAS compounds.
"I think the important thing to notice that EPA is not modifying the 4 parts per trillion for PFOS," Commissioner Robinson said during the meeting. Eric Lehman, the utility director, told commissioners a highlighted EPA statement and a response from the American Water Works Association were included in the meeting packet and that staff expects more detail and data from federal agencies.
Lehman said the anticipated federal rollout will determine local implications. "I expect more details on that," he said, noting that additional guidance would help utilities plan at the local level.
The packet contained an AWWA response and the EPA statement; commissioners asked staff to track further federal guidance and share it with the commission when available.
Staff did not present new compliance requirements at the meeting; Lehman said Wausau’s current sampling results keep the utility "ahead of the game" while awaiting federal actions.
