Study finding rampant 'forever chemicals' leads to increased water monitoring across Pa.

Brian Whipkey, Pennsylvania Outdoors Columnist
·4 min read

More monitoring efforts are underway on Pennsylvania waterways after a study revealed so-called "forever chemicals" are present in some streams and lakes.

The results of a joint study by the United States Geological Survey and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection determined 122 of 161 Pennsylvania rivers and streams tested for polyfluoroalkyl substances contained at least one of these chemicals, known as PFAS.

The DEP on Tuesday said it is ramping up existing efforts to monitor water resources and using the study to develop standards for surface water.

Based on the study’s results, the DEP reports it updated its surface water monitoring strategy for PFAS and is taking more frequent samples in areas of concern.

The study results announced this year were based on samples collected in 2019.

What are PFAS?

PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals used in a wide variety of common applications, from food packaging and non-stick cookware, to fire-fighting foams and materials that are resistant to water grease or stains. Decades of widespread use of products containing PFAS has resulted in elevated levels of environmental pollution and exposure in some areas of the state.

About the study: 'Forever chemicals’ found in 76% of sampled Pa. streams, including one that's near you

What other steps are being taken?

The DEP is a planning to begin a monitoring program that would require some wastewater treatment plants to monitor for PFAS discharges. The effort will help the agency track where PFAS chemicals may be entering Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams through wastewater treatment plant discharges, which may include wastewater discharges from industrial entities known or suspected to discharge PFAS in their waste streams.

What to know: How safe is it to eat fish caught in Pennsylvania waters?

What it means to you

One fish consumption advisory for Neshaminy Creek was issued as a result of the study and the DEP will continue to collect additional fish tissue samples and update fish consumption advisories as needed.

Sara Breitmeyer, a USGS chemist and lead author of the study, said these chemicals are found in waterways across the world. “People should be aware that it’s in the water. The study was a baseline study just to see what types of PFAS exist in Pennsylvania surface waters and spread out over the state,” she said.

“This joint venture produced the first study of its kind in the nation, and associates PFAS in surface waters across a state with upstream activities that might be sources of the contaminant. This study has expanded our understanding, and will assist in determining what steps need to be taken in addressing issues associated with this emerging contaminant,” Rich Negrin, DEP secretary, said in a news release. “Our findings have already helped, and will continue to help, guide DEP’s actions regarding where to focus resources on identifying, tracking, and addressing potential sources of PFAS contamination.”

Where PFAS concentrations were highest in Pennsylvania

Breitmeyer found 56 Pennsylvania-area streams that had total PFAS of at least 10 nanograms per liter (parts per trillion).

  • Big Elk Creek near Lewisville

  • Raccoon Creek at Moffatts Mill

  • Conemaugh River at Tunnelton

  • Little Juniata River at Spruce Creek

  • Shenango at Sharpsville

  • Walnut Creek upstream pool, near Erie

  • Clarion River at Cooksburg

  • East Mahantango Creek near Dalmatia

  • Allegheny River at Hulton Bridge at Oakmont

  • Youghiogheny River at Youghiogheny River Dam

  • Allegheny River at Kennerdell

  • Conewago Creek near Bellaire

  • Conewango Creek at Russell

  • Delaware River at Trenton, New Jersey

  • Monongahela River near Masontown

  • Brodhead Creek at Minisink Hills

  • Monongahela River at Elizabeth

  • West Branch Susquehanna River at Williamsport

  • Ohio River at Sewickley

  • Aquashicola Creek at Palmerton

  • South Fork Tenmile Creek at Jefferson

  • Big Spring Run near Mylin Corners

  • Bald Eagle Creek near Milesburg

  • Ohio River at Mile 44.5 at Newell, West Virginia

  • Frankstown Branch Juniata River at RR at Williamsburg

  • Muddy Creek at Castle Fin

  • Spring Creek near Axemann

  • White Clay Creek near Strickersville

  • Connoquenessing Creek at Renfrew

  • Conodoguinet Creek near Hogestown

  • Tulpehocken Creek near Reading

  • Swatara Creek near Hershey

  • West Conewago Creek near Manchester

  • Chickies Creek near Marietta

  • Jordan Creek at mouth at Allentown

  • Beaver River at Beaver Falls

  • Lehigh River at Glendon

  • Perkiomen Creek at Arcola near Collegeville

  • Beaverdam Brancy Juniata River near Hollidaysburg

  • Paxton Creek near Glenwood

  • Schuylkill River at Pottstown

  • Quittapahilla Creek near Bellegrove

  • Beaver River at Wampum

  • Octoraro Creek near Richardsmere, Maryland

  • Connoquenessing Creek near Zelienople

  • Codorus Creek near Saginaw

  • Brandywine Creek at Chadds Ford

  • Red Clay Creek near Kennett Square

  • Lackawanna River at Old Forge

  • Conestoga River at Conestoga

  • Schuylkill River at Falls Bridge, Philadelphia

  • Mahoning River at North Edinburg

  • Wissahickon Creek at Mouth, Philadelphia

  • Valley Creek at Wilson Road near Valley Forge

  • Wissahickon Creek at Fort Washington

  • Neshaminy Creek near Langhorne

Brian Whipkey is the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at bwhipkey@gannett.com and sign up for our weekly Go Outdoors PA newsletter email on this website's homepage under your login name. Follow him on Facebook @whipkeyoutdoors, X @whipkeyoutdoors and Instagram at whipkeyoutdoors.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: PA DEP will increase waterway monitoring after forever chemicals study