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City report: Lincoln water meets state standards though arsenic and PFOS exceed public health goals
Summary
City water meets maximum contamination levels but detected arsenic and PFOS above non‑enforceable public health goals; staff recommended no immediate action while studying treatment options and costs.
City staff told the Lincoln City Council on Tuesday that the city’s drinking water meets all enforceable maximum contaminant levels but two contaminants — arsenic and PFOS — were found above the U.S. and California non‑enforceable public health goals.
Water and utilities manager Chris Nelson presented the tri‑annual Public Health Goals report required by state law. Nelson said monitoring showed arsenic at two raw water sources — Moore Well (2.5 parts per billion) and Fittiman Well (2.3 ppb) — well below the federal maximum contaminant level (10 ppb) but higher than the public health goal (0.004 ppb).
Per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) testing found PFOS at 4 parts per trillion in the Airport South well in 2024; that well has not been in production since 2023. The PFOS public health goal is 1 part per trillion and the maximum contaminant level (MCL) is 4 ppt.
Nelson said technologies such as ion‑exchange or reverse osmosis can reduce contaminant levels but would carry significant costs. He estimated annual treatment expenses for arsenic removal in the $2.5 million to $3.0 million range; for PFOS he cited roughly $1.5 million annually with a capital investment near $12 million for treatment infrastructure. Given the costs and uncertain incremental public‑health benefit at already low concentrations, staff recommended no immediate treatment action and requested the council receive the report for public comment.
Mayor Andreotta and council members asked questions about next steps. City staff said a groundwater study is budgeted for the coming fiscal year to analyze sources, contaminant transport and treatment options. City Manager Sean Scully also told the council the city is participating as a plaintiff in a class‑action lawsuit and has retained outside counsel to examine historic environmental insurance potentially available for remediation funding.
The council opened a public hearing on the report; no testimony was presented, and the council took no action beyond receiving the report.
