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Aurora Water outlines PFAS response: testing certification, treatment strategy and grant pursuit
Summary
Aurora Water staff summarized multi-year PFAS monitoring and treatment steps, described current testing certification with CDPHE, outlined treatment approaches (GAC and ion exchange) to meet the EPA MCL and said the utility is pursuing state revolving fund grants for construction and design.
Aurora Water staff presented an update on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) management, testing and treatment steps the utility has undertaken since national guidance changed in 2016–2024.
Earl Wilkinson, assistant general manager of water operations, and other staff reviewed the regulatory history: the EPA began surveying PFAS as unregulated contaminants in 2014; interim health advisories for PFOA and PFOS appeared in 2016 (70 parts per trillion advisory at that time). In 2022 and 2023 the EPA moved through further advisory and rulemaking steps; a federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFOA/PFOS of 4 parts per trillion is now the current regulatory ceiling staff are managing toward.
Staff recounted near-term operational changes that followed the stricter guidance: Aurora temporarily took Cherry Creek wells and Quincy Reservoir offline in 2022 because two of Aurora’s treatment plants (Griswold and Windlinger as described) could not remove PFAS with their existing direct-filtration processes. Staff used Binney treatment capacity with granulated activated carbon (GAC) and a small pilot/“mini” plant to test filter materials and optimize operations. In late 2024 Aurora obtained CDPHE certification for in‑house PFAS testing, reducing lab turnaround time and helping optimize treatment operations.
Wilkinson described a dual treatment approach: continued GAC use at certain plants and an ion-exchange treatment upstream of some plants to treat Cherry Creek wells and Quincy Reservoir water prior to those plants. Staff reported GAC media replacement costs have risen substantially and that ion exchange is one of several effective technologies under consideration. Wilkinson said the utility intends to manage toward a conservative operational target (about 75% of the MCL, i.e., ~3 parts per trillion) while pursuing capital projects to treat sources so they can safely reintroduce Cherry Creek and Quincy sources.
Staff said they are pursuing state revolving funds (federal SRF dollars routed through the state) for design and construction of treatment projects and noted uncertainty because of federal and state budget and administrative timing. Staff described benefits of returning low‑volume sources (Cherry Creek wells and Quincy Reservoir) to service when treated and blended: more supply available early in the season, improved reservoir turnover and better water-quality management at Quincy (less blue-green algae risk when reservoir can be turned over and aerated).
Committee members asked about long-term exposure pathways and the conservatism built into MCLs; staff noted MCLs account for multiple exposure pathways and protect sensitive populations. Staff said treatment cost and media replacement timelines have become important drivers in long-term O&M planning and emphasized Aurora’s focus on protecting public health while optimizing costs.
No final regulatory decision was made at this meeting; the update described operational steps, testing capability and grant pursuit.
