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City staff outlines PFAS testing, possible treatment and a pilot plan after elevated results
Summary
Utility staff told council the city is borderline for PFOA and above the limit for PFOS, traced likely sources near the airport fire-training area, and outlined pilot-testing options (granulated activated carbon, ion-exchange, reverse osmosis) with a plan to return a written strategy and pilot authorization for council review.
City utilities staff briefed the council on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) testing results and mitigation options.
Staff explained that recent federal regulatory changes narrowed the list of enforceable PFAS chemicals to two (PFOA and PFOS) and established a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 4 parts per trillion for combined regulated compounds. The city is close to the PFOA MCL and exceeded the PFOS level in at least one well. Staff identified likely local sources — notably historical fire-training areas and a well (C3) near the airport tarmac that showed especially high readings in split testing — and said the city has begun mapping historical training footprints to support any future soil or groundwater investigations.
Given the regulatory timeline, staff recommended a measured path: finalize the PFAS report, conduct a pilot test at the affected treatment plant(s) to compare treatment approaches (granular activated carbon, ion exchange and reverse osmosis), and then return to council with cost/benefit analysis and a recommended construction approach. Staff warned that testing at parts-per-trillion levels is technically demanding and that results can vary by test method; they estimated independent tests cost about $300 each with roughly 6–8 weeks turnaround.
Council members asked whether a citywide treatment program would be required and how quickly work would be needed; staff said compliance windows had shifted but that the city is planning a pilot and expects to construct treatment before the effective compliance date unless rules change. Staff also suggested simple household-level filters for concerned residents until the city implements a broader remedy.
What’s next: staff will finalize the written PFAS report, begin pilot-test procurement/authorization, and return to the council with a recommended schedule and estimated costs before committing to capital expenditures.
