EPA detects 'forever chemicals' in Redding's water system - Record Searchlight

EPA detects 'forever chemicals' in Redding's water system

Redding's water system contains toxic 'forever chemicals,' EPA says
Damon Arthur

The city of Redding's water system was included on a list of agencies whose drinking water exceeded Environmental Protection Agency minimum reporting levels for toxic "forever chemicals."

The chemicals have been found in more than one in four public drinking water systems this year in concentrations at or above the Environmental Protection Agency’s minimum reporting levels.

That’s according to new EPA data released Thursday, showing hundreds of water systems have detected PFAS. Together, these systems provide drinking water to about 46 million people, according to USA Today.

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS, are a group of nearly indestructible chemicals that build up in the human body over time. They’ve been used widely for decades in nonstick and water-repellent household products, as well as industrial products.

PFAS exposure has been linked to increased risk of cancer, as well as effects on the liver, immune system, cardiovascular system and human development, according to the EPA.

A map of drinking water systems nationwide showed Redding had seven pollutants with some up to 305% above the limit recommended by the EPA. Weaverville, also included on the list, had two pollutants with up to 375% above the limit, according to the EPA.

“When you look at that laundry list of health effects that have been linked to PFAS, it doesn’t mean you’re going to get that,” said Courtney Carignan, an exposure scientist and environmental epidemiologist at Michigan State University. “Everyone’s risk factors are different. But you can reduce your risk by reducing your exposure and getting your drinking water tested.”

Of about 3,200 systems included so far, 854 measured at least one PFAS compound above the EPA’s reporting levels, according to a USA TODAY analysis of the data. That’s almost 27%, an increase from August’s update of the data.

USA TODAY’s analysis shows the chemicals have turned up in nearly every state, affecting water systems large and small. Treating water to remove the chemicals is very expensive, though, officials told USA Today.

Every five years, the EPA requires water systems to monitor for several unregulated pollutants. The current effort focuses on forever chemicals, and the EPA describes it as its most comprehensive PFAS monitoring initiative ever. Thursday's data release represents a small portion of the additional sample results that the agency expects to collect and publish over the next few years from every large and mid-size public water system in America, as well as hundreds of small systems, according to USA Today.

Reporter Damon Arthur welcomes story tips at 530-338-8834, by email at damon.arthur@redding.com and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @damonarthur_RS. Help local journalism thrive by subscribing today!