Wisconsin Rapids found trace amounts of 'forever chemicals' in drinking water. Wausau contamination prompts more tests
WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The city will conduct new testing for a group of cancer-linked chemicals in light of widespread contamination in 50 Wisconsin cities, including Wausau, after finding trace amounts last year.
Wisconsin Rapids Water Works and Light Commission water technician Adam Breunig said the utility voluntarily tested its water in May 2021 amid growing concerns about PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" because they never break down once absorbed into the human body.
The tests showed trace amounts of the two most studied chemicals in the PFAS family of chemicals: 0.843 parts per trillion for PFOA and 1.87 parts per trillion for PFOS. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-recommended safety levels for those chemicals is 20 parts per trillion.
Steve Elmore, program director of the DNR's drinking water and groundwater bureau, said people should feel safe drinking city water with PFAS at such low levels.
The comments come amid growing concern about the presence of PFAS in drinking water supplies. Last month, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin reported all municipal drinking water wells in Wausau tested above state-recommended health standards of 20 parts per trillion.
The wells in Wausau showed PFAS amounts between 23 and 48 parts per trillion, prompting the city to provide bottled water to some residents as a short-term solution. The DNR identified Wausau as one of 50 communities in the state struggling with PFAS contamination. Other cities include Eau Claire, Rib Mountain, Madison, Milwaukee and Manitowoc.
In response to the contamination in Wausau, Breunig said the Wisconsin Rapids utility will voluntarily test its water again to verify last year's results. The testing last year was also voluntary and conducted by Crandon Northern Lake Service.
"However back in early 2021 we started hearing about this new compound and decided to be proactive and contacted our testing laboratory about performing this voluntary test," Breunig said in an email.
He said the utility expects results back in the next month.
The research on PFAS keeps growing
The PFAS family includes more than 4,700 different types of chemicals that have been used and manufactured in the U.S. since the 1940s. Historically, these chemicals were used in nonstick products, firefighting foam, stain-resistant furniture and carpets and more. Limited findings show PFAS in humans has been linked to cancer, thyroid hormone disruption, low infant birth weights and effects on the immune system.
Last week, the state Natural Resources Board decided to leave PFAS groundwater levels unregulated and set drinking water standards for surface water at 70 parts per trillion. The DNR recommended the standards be set at 20 parts per trillion. Had the board approved the DNR's recommended standards, municipalities in the state would have been required to lower the level of PFAS in their water supplies.
Next year, municipalities larger than 10,000 residents will begin a new round of mandatory testing through U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for unregulated chemicals in water supplies. Part of this multi-year schedule of testing called Third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule.
The upcoming round of testing features the ability for labs to detect lower levels, as well as a wider array, of PFAS-family chemicals. The testing will detect PFOA and PFOS at 4 parts per trillion and screen for an additional 27 other types of PFAS chemicals, according to the EPA's website.
"As detection limits are lowered and we have more robust methods for analyzing for PFAS, it’s a good idea to keep for testing PFAS," Elmore said.
Laura Schulte of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this story.
Contact reporter Alan Hovorka at 715-345-2252 or ahovorka@gannett.com Follow him on Twitter at @ajhovorka.
This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Wisconsin Rapids to retest water for PFAS after concerns in Wausau
