PFAS Testing & Mitigation
This project implements a comprehensive PFAS testing and mitigation initiative, addressing potential contaminants in water sources. This program aims to safeguard water quality and public health through proactive measures.
PFAS Mitigation Program in Progress. Click to view the details.
The term PFAS describes a class of compounds commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” as they do not break down and remain constant in the environment through the water and land. PFAS can be found in products and materials used regularly by most citizens, such as lotion, wax paper, water bottles, cleaning products, non-stick cookware, floss, and more.
See the latest information about PFAS from the US EPA at https://www.epa.gov/pfas
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On June 15, 2022, the US EPA announced the new Interim Health Advisory Levels (HAL’s) for PFOA and PFOS. Water utilities, such as SGWASA, are “passive receivers” of PFAS. SGWASA does not produce nor manufacture PFAS. Instead, the PFAS chemicals are present in source waters that are treated to produce drinking water.
In the Fall of 2023, SGWASA received a $5M appropriation (grant) from the state budget for infrastructure upgrades. The grant is being administered by the NCDEQ. Based on the recent information presented by the USEPA regarding the PFAS compliance deadlines, I recommend the $5M grant be allocated to the PFAS compliance program (engineering/construction), thus allowing SGWASA to keep the PFAS removal project compliance schedule on track with the USEPA requirements. The topic of dedicating this grant to the PFAS reduction project will be discussed by the Board of Directors at a future Board meeting.
What are SGWASA’s next steps in moving to compliance with the new NPDWR Rule?
SGWASA has prepared the following approach to meet the April 26, 2029, deadline, as shown in the following steps:
Item | Status | Comments | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Design a PFAS Pilot Testing Program to determine the most cost-effective PFAS removal techniques for SGWASA’s water system.
| The Pilot Testing design was initiated and completed in late 2023. | SGWASA spent $45,485 on this task. | ||
In 2023 SGWASA applied for NCDEQ State Revolving Fund (SRF) financing/grant for the maximum grant amount of $500,000 for the PFAS pilot testing, and $22,000,000 for PFAS mitigation engineering design and construction.
| SGWASA received a $500,000 grant from the NCDEQ to perform the PFAS Pilot Testing program. SGWASA was not awarded funding for the design and construction. | SGWASA will continue to apply for NCDEQ grant funding for the $26M design and construction for PFAS removal. | SGWASA spent $15,985 on this task. | |
In 2023, SGWASA received a $5M grant from the state budget for water/sewer. NCDEQ 1.5% grant administration fee = $4.925 M to spend.
| In January 2025, SGWASA and CDM Smith submitted to the NCDEQ a Request for Funding for the engineering design, bidding services, and construction for the PFAS removal project. | SGWASA received information from the NCDEQ in March 2025 regarding a Notice of Intent to Fund the work associated to the PFAS removal project. | SGWASA will pay $75,000 for 1.5% grant administration fee. | |
Conduct PFAS Pilot Testing October 2024 to August 2025.
| In progress. | The results of the PFAS Pilot Testing program will be used to provide the criteria for engineering design and construction. | SGWASA received a $500,000 grant from the NCDEQ to perform the PFAS Pilot Testing program. | |
Once NCDEQ provides official/final approval regarding the use of the $5M grant, SGWASA will seek authorization from the Board of Directors to enter a contract with CDM Smith for the engineering design of the PFAS removal at the SGWASA water plant.
| In March 2025, SGWASA received a Letter of Intent to Fund the PFAS reduction project. Staff is completing the required forms needed to secure the funding for the project. | SGWASA is evaluating a design-build process to shorten the construction time to meet the April 2029 compliance date. | ||
Seek additional grant funding/SRF loan funding for estimated cost of PFAS removal construction of $26M.
| Ongoing. | If grant(s) cannot be obtained, then SGWASA will determine what financing sources will be used to fund the project. In May 2025, SGWASA submitted another NCDEQ Grant request to fund the $26M+ Post Filter PFAS reduction construction. SGWASA anticipates hearing from NCDEQ in October/November 2025 regarding the Grant request. | TBD | |
Construct the PFAS removal process equipment.
| Planned. | Goal to complete the PFAS removal project ahead of the required compliance date. | TBD | |
Place the new PFAS removal process equipment into operation prior to 4/26/29.
| Planned | Additional annual operating costs will be associated with the new operation. These costs will be factored into the annual operating budget. * Note: As of May 2025, EPA is considering a 2-year extension to the compliance deadline, thus 4/26/31. | TBD |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
An ATSDR report, also known as a Public Health Assessment or Health Consultation, is a report by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry summarizing an investigation of environmental contaminants and their potential health effects on a specific community.
The report provides information on health data, environmental data, and ATSDR's conclusions about the likelihood of harm to human health from exposure to site-related contaminants.
ATSDR reports commonly recommend public health actions to reduce exposure to contaminants.
The agency reviewed SGWASA’s Drinking Water Quality Reports for years 2018 – 2023. The reports revealed no violations of drinking water standards for non-PFAS chemicals for the years 2018 - 2023. Therefore, ATSDR will not conduct further evaluation of non-PFAS chemicals in SGWASA drinking water at this time.
