Learn About PFAS
Protecting public health and providing our customers a safe water supply is the City of Vancouver’s top priority, and we currently meet all federal and state requirements for water quality testing. On average, we deliver 10.1 billion gallons per year of clean and safe drinking water to more than 270,000 people in a 72-square mile service area.
Vancouver, like many communities in Washington and across the nation, is addressing an emerging issue with per-and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances. In recognition of this, Vancouver proactively tested and reported PFAS levels in 2020. In 2023, the City began a new program of testing and reporting for PFAS in drinking water. We continue to share information about PFAS so that you can make informed decisions.
PFAS Overview
Since the 1940s, PFAS have been used around the world in industry and in consumer products such as food packaging, non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, stain-resistant fabrics and firefighting foam. These synthetic chemicals can enter the environment and water supplies from multiple sources and do not break down easily, which is why PFAS are sometimes called “forever chemicals.”
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation and PFAS Maximum Contaminant Level
On April 10, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS compounds. These regulations set the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFAS in drinking water. Public water systems must monitor for these PFAS and provide information to community members. Public water systems will have five years (by 2029) to implement solutions to reduce these PFAS if monitoring shows that drinking water levels exceed the MCLs. Beginning 2029, public water systems that have PFAS in drinking water exceeding the established MCLs must take action to reduce levels of PFAS in their drinking water. Federal regulations set by the EPA supersede the Washington State Action Levels. View MCLs set by the EPA.
PFAS Detection
Quarterly Update – February 2025: Drinking water samples collected from Vancouver Water System (ID#91200) sources included detections of the following per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that were above Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for drinking water, as determined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The levels of PFAS found in Vancouver’s water supply are above recommended limits in state and federal guidance. The recommended limits are based on long-term exposure to PFAS throughout a person’s life and represent a conservative level at which no adverse impacts are expected over a lifetime of drinking the water, even in health-sensitive populations.
The City of Vancouver’s extensive water system has 40 wells located at nine wellfields across our community. Recent testing for PFAS showed that eight of nine of the City’s wellfields exceeded the MCLs for PFAS contaminants regulated by the EPA. These water production sites include Water Stations 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 14 and 15. The latest compliance sampling results are below.
| Water Station | PFOA Result | PFOA EPA 4 ppt | PFOS result | PFOS EPA 4 ppt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Station 1 | 2.5 ppt | Below | 4.9 ppt | Above |
| Water Station 3 | 2.7 ppt | Below | 5.2 ppt | Above |
| Water Station 4 | 6.0 ppt | Above | 17 ppt | Above |
| Water Station 7 | ND | Below | 4.5 ppt | Above |
| Water Station 8 | 4.4 ppt | Above | 9.2 ppt | Above |
| Water Station 9 | 5.4 ppt | Above | 11 ppt | Above |
| Water Station 14 | 8.8 ppt | Above | 17 ppt | Above |
| Water Station 15 | 5.2 ppt | Above | 12 ppt | Above |
| Ellsworth | ND | Below | ND | Below |
*ppt-parts per trillion (1 ppt is equivalent to a single drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools)
Potential Health Impacts
There are many different PFAS, and we are still learning about their health impacts in people.
- PFOA — Some people who drink water containing PFOA in excess of the State Action Level over many years may experience problems with their cholesterol, liver, thyroid or immune system; have high blood pressure during pregnancy; have babies with lower birthweights; and be at higher risk of getting certain types of cancers.
- PFOS — Some people who drink water containing PFOS in excess of the State Action Level over many years may experience problems with their cholesterol, liver, thyroid, kidney or immune systems; or have children with lower birthweights.
City Actions to Protect Water Quality
The City hired water quality experts to investigate possible sources and the extent of PFAS in the water supply and started work to identify potential treatment options. Work underway includes:
- Testing the water supply: Operations staff continue to test and monitor water quality in compliance with state and federal requirements to ensure a safe water supply.
- Evaluating treatment options: Water quality engineers are evaluating treatment technologies to remove PFAS from the water supply.
- Treatment system installation: Design is currently underway to install a treatment system at Water Station 14. Planning for a treatment system at Water Station 4 is in progress. Learn about PFAS mitigation.
- Finding long-term solutions: Expert scientists are investigating potential sources of PFAS and the extent of PFAS in the local groundwater supply.
- Planning for the future: Future costs for PFAS treatment are included in the City’s long-range capital plans.
- Reducing costs: The City is pursuing state and federal grants and loans to reduce the impact to ratepayers.
- Adjusting operations: Prioritize sources of water supply with lower levels of PFAS to operate before sources with higher levels to reduce concentrations within the distribution system.
- Sharing information: Up-to-date information on PFAS and test results are being shared with all customers and the public so you can make informed decisions.
Keeping You Informed
The City is committed to keeping the community informed. We will continue to share actions the City is taking to keep your water safe and provide updates as we learn more about treatment options and receive updates from federal and state authorities. Timely information and PFAS sampling results will be posted at cityofvancouver.us/pfasresults. The annual Water Quality Report is another way you can learn about the quality of the City’s water and PFAS updates.
PFAS Finalized Federal Maximum Contaminant Levels / State Action Levels
| Types of PFAS | EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (Enforcable, Requires treatment by 2029) | Washington Department of Health State Action Level (Superseded) |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 4 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFOS | 4 ppt | 15 ppt |
| PFNA | 10 ppt | 9 ppt |
| PFHxS | 10 ppt | 65 ppt |
| HFPO-DA (commonly referred to as GenX Chemicals2) | 10 ppt | – |
| Mixtures containing two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA and PFBS | Hazard index of 1* | PFBS, 345 ppt |
Note: ppt = parts per trillion (1 ppt is equivalent to a single drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools)
11 ppt (part per trillion) is equivalent to a single drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools
2GenX chemicals are not on the Washington State Department of Health’s list of PFAS with State Action Levels
3EPA intends to provide water systems with a web-based form that will automatically calculate the Hazard Index for four types of PFAS together
*The hazard index of 1 is the level at which no known health risk could be anticipated
The City has been proactively engaging on this issue for compliance sampling and reporting. Below is a brief history of the City’s sampling efforts to better understand potential PFAS impacts.
- 2013 PFAS Sampling Non-Detectable: The City sampled for PFAS in all wells in our nine water stations and hired an independent, certified lab to test for six different PFAS. All results showed PFAS were not present at detectable levels. The City performed this testing in compliance with EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule to collect data for substances that may be present in drinking water but are not yet regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
- Late 2020 PFAS Sampling Low Levels Detected: Although not required by federal or state standards, the City tested for PFAS in representative wells in each of our nine water stations using a newer EPA method. Low levels of PFAS were detected—below EPA’s Health Advisory Level at that time. These results were made available to the public through the City’s website as the City began more in-depth investigation of potential sources and treatment approaches.
- Early 2021 PFAS Sampling Low Levels Detected: To better understand PFAS levels and potential sources, the City sampled groundwater from all operational wells. PFAS were again found at low levels—below the EPA’s Health Advisory Level at that time.
- 2023 PFAS Sampling: The City began a new program of quarterly sampling and reporting that meets all federal and state requirements. You can find the latest sampling results on the PFAS Sampling Results page.
