DEQ outlines PFAS detections in Idaho drinking water; committee defers vote on adoption

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality reported to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on Feb. 7, 2025, that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been detected at numerous public water system sources across the state and that the department is seeking to adopt the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) drinking-water rule by reference.

The presentation, given by Tyler Fortunati, chief of the Drinking Water Bureau at the Department of Environmental Quality, summarized PFAS chemistry and health concerns, federal regulatory deadlines and what monitoring so far has revealed in Idaho. The committee did not vote on the pending state rule at the hearing; the chair said the committee will take that vote at a later meeting.

PFAS are a large family of man-made chemicals used for water-, grease- and stain-resistant properties in many industrial and consumer products, Fortunati told the committee. He said two compounds, PFOA and PFOS, have been the most studied, and that many PFAS compounds are persistent in the environment and bioaccumulate.

“The science is really emerging on this,” Fortunati said, summarizing uncertainties about the toxicity of newer PFAS…