Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA has the authority to set enforceable National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs) for drinking water contaminants and require monitoring of public water systems.

On April 10, 2024, the EPA announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS compounds. To inform the final rule, the EPA evaluated over 120,000 comments submitted by the public on the rule proposal, as well as considered input received during multiple consultations and stakeholder engagement activities held both prior to and following the proposed rule.

PFAS are a category of chemicals that can cause serious health problems if you are exposed to them over a long period of time, or at certain critical life stages like pregnancy and early childhood. Some of the most harmful PFAS have been largely phased out due to health and environmental concerns. But there are thousands of PFAS, and they are still found in use. They are commonly referred to as "forever chemicals" because they tend to break down extremely slowly in the environment and can build up in people, animals, and the environment over time.

The City’s news release and Q&A below provide more details on the regulation and its impact.

1. How does the new EPA regulation impact drinking water standards?
The new EPA regulation establishes the first-ever National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS compounds known to occur individually and/or as mixtures in drinking water. Legally enforceable limits have been established as low as 4 parts per trillion (ppt). This means that water systems across the country must comply with these new standards to ensure the safety of drinking water.

2. Is the City prepared to comply with the regulation?
Yes. In advance of the final regulation from the EPA, and for multiple years prior, OKC Utilities tested for PFAS compounds through contaminant monitoring. All sample results for the forever chemicals regulated in the NPDWR have been below detectable limits (4 ppt). We will continue to test this year, and data beginning in 2024 will be used to meet the EPA NPDWR requirement for initial monitoring that water systems must comply with by 2027. 

3. Why is the EPA taking this step now? 
According to the EPA, the science is now clear that exposure to the six newly regulated PFAS compounds is linked to significant health risks. The EPA is following the process outlined in the Safe Drinking Water Act for regulating drinking water contaminants.

4. What does a part per trillion look like? How much is that? 
Parts per trillion is a unit of measure. It is a very tiny amount. For example, one part per trillion in time, is the equivalent of one second out of nearly 32,000 years.

5. What is the role of OKC Utilities in ensuring water safety for customers?
OKC Utilities is responsible for providing safe and clean drinking water to over 1.4 million people in Central Oklahoma. We are committed to rigorous testing and compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations to ensure the safety of our water supply.

6. Will the regulation impact water rates?
At this time, there is no impact. Our test results for the PFAS compounds regulated in the NPDWR have been below detectable limits (4 ppt).

The preferred method to remove PFAS compounds from drinking water is by filtering with granular activated carbon (GAC). We currently use GAC at our Hefner Water Treatment Plant (WTP) to help with taste and odor, but not at our Draper WTP as we don’t have those same taste and odor concerns at that facility. However, we are evaluating the benefits of transitioning to GAC at Draper to improve facility operations and eliminate the use of other chemicals. 

While the new regulation does not directly affect OKC Utilities’ operational costs, it's important to recognize there may be future implications.

7. Should I use a filter to reduce levels of PFAS in my water? 
While our test results for the PFAS compounds regulated in the NPDWR have been below detectable limits (4 ppt), the more you reduce your exposure to PFAS, the more you reduce your risk. According to the EPA, many water pitcher filters and other home-based water filters are able to reduce the levels of PFAS in drinking water. If you decide to use a filter, look for ones that are certified to reduce PFAS. Be aware that current filters on the market will not yet be certified to reduce PFAS to the new EPA standard, but the added filtration they provide can help reduce your exposure. For more information: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/water-filter-fact-sheet.pdf. 
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General PFAS information from the EPA: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas.