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San Juan County to help state test four local water systems for PFAS
Summary
Public health will collect PFAS samples at four local public-water systems under a DEQ contract; the state pays lab costs, the county’s portion is roughly $2,800 for two sampling events and results will be posted in the statewide database.
San Juan County Public Health staff presented and the commission approved a contract with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality to sample four county public-water systems for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly described as 'forever chemicals.'
Dennis Shamway of Public Health said the state selected the sampling locations (Rockland Ranch, Monaceel, Wilson Arch and La Sal) and supplied sampling kits and prepaid shipping; the samples will be sent to a laboratory in Indiana for analysis. The county’s role is to collect samples on two occasions (one now and a follow-up about six months later) and submit them for testing; Shamway said the county’s expense for the work is roughly $2,800.
Shamway noted the probability of finding PFAS locally is low but the state wants to build a statewide map of occurrence. If PFAS are detected, the state has mitigation grants that water systems could apply for, and public-health staff will retain records of results and share them online through the state database.
Commissioners approved the contract by voice vote; staff said results will come back from the state lab and be shared with local water operators and the public-health office.
