Roseville reports non‑detect PFOS results from UCMR5 testing, explains monitoring, customer testing and fluoride review

City water‑quality staff said Roseville continues routine monitoring and recent unregulated contaminant monitoring under UCMR5 found no PFOS detections in the samples collected from treatment plants and wells.

"I believe it was last year we went through the fifth of that iteration, the UCMR 5, and I believe there were about 29 PFOS contaminants that we had to test for. So these were quarterly sampling that we had to do at a treatment plant and at all our well sites. And I'm happy to report that after 1 year of testing, all the results came back non detect for PFOS," Water Utility Manager George Hansen said.

Hansen described Roseville's continuous monitoring: treatment plant and well instrumentation checked daily by operators, weekly distribution sampling sent to labs, and additional monthly, quarterly and annual sampling to meet state and federal requirements. He said the city follows EPA programs that add contaminants to monitoring lists when potential health concerns are identified.

On customer concerns, Hansen said customers may obtain tests from ELAP‑accredited (Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program) labs; the city can provide lists and sampling bottle guidance. He noted that testing costs vary by analyte (basic tests are relatively quick and inexpensive; PFAS testing is more involved and can take one to two weeks).

Regarding chlorine taste and odor, Hansen said disinfectant residuals are added at treatment to meet public‑health requirements and that brief chlorine taste is common and generally safe: "Yes, it is safe." He advised customers to flush taps and contact customer service if a strong odor or cloudy water persists.

On fluoride, Environmental Utilities Director Sean Bigley said fluoridation is part of the city's current drinking water permit. He said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is conducting an evaluation driven in part by a pending court case; that evaluation could lead to federal changes in dosing or requirements, and the city will comply with any new regulations and provide public notification and opportunities for feedback if required.

Resources cited during the event included the city's water quality page (roseville.ca.us/waterquality) and general water information (roseville.ca.us/water). No policy changes were adopted during the presentation.