Kalispell issues drinking water notice - NBC Montana

Kalispell issues drinking water notice

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KALISPELL, Mont. — The city of Kalispell announced two of the 11 drinking source water well sites have had per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) identified in them.

Officials say the affected wells will remain online as there would not be enough water for those needing water. However, the available water is being mixed with other sources of drinking water before it reaches the tap.

Right now, the largest amount of PFAS found in the affected wells was measured at 6.6 parts per trillion, with the EPA's health advisories listed at .02 for PFAS detected.

Officials say Kalispell's water will continue to be monitored, with officials looking into ways to address the situation.

If you are concerned about the health effects of PFAS, contact your local health care provider.

City of Kalispell has a list of resources regarding PFAS below:

The city of Kalispell released the following information:

The Kalispell public water system has found per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in two of the eleven drinking source water well sites. At this time, PFAS is not regulated, however the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided health advisories regarding PFAS.

The largest amount of PFAS detected in the affected wells was 6.6 parts per trillion (ppt). This equates to less than 7 drops in an Olympic size swimming pool. The water then blends with other sources of drinking water before making it to your tap. The EPA’s health advisories are listed at .02 for the PFAS detected, however current testing methods cannot detect below 4 ppt. Taking the affected wells offline is not an option at this time as the remaining supply would not be enough to cover demand.

The City of Kalispell is working to collect more information and examining available options to address PFAS in the drinking water supply. Meanwhile, the best action a consumer can take is to learn more about PFAS, and the steps that can be taken to reduce risks associated with possible health effects of exposure to PFAS. The US Environmental Protection Agency website has valuable information and steps that can be taken to reduce risk. A summary of this information and links is provided at the bottom of this notice.

What is Kalispell Doing?

Follow up sampling is being conducted at Kalispell PWS well sites. Additional sampling will be performed in March and August of 2024. The data obtained from the additional sampling will contribute to validating the accuracy and reliability of the PFAS detection from the source water.

Kalispell is examining available options to address PFAS in the drinking water supply and will keep you informed.

Drinking water systems can reduce concentrations of PFAS through the blending of water sources. In Kalispell’s case we are already blending the water from the detected well sources with the City’s other PFAS free well sources.

Kalispell is looking into funding sources through the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to replace the wells if that becomes necessary.

Kalispell has created a website to provide the public with information and resources. https://www.kalispell.com/850/Consumer-Drinking-Water-Notice

As the city gathers more information and evaluates options, information will be released to the public. Sign up to the City of Kalispell’s Notify Me system to sign up for public service announcements and press releases.

An open house will be scheduled soon so questions can be asked in person. Stay tuned for more details.

The following information was taken from the EPA website.

What can You Do?

Learn more about PFA’s – information and links are provided below.

If you are concerned about levels of PFAS in your drinking water, contact your doctor or health care professional.

Consider actions that may reduce your exposure including installing a home or point of use filter, if possible, while steps are being taken to further understand levels of concern.

Boiling, freezing, or letting water stand does not reduce PFAS levels.

Review EPA’s Meaningful and Achievable Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Risk.

After reviewing the information and links provided, if you have additional questions, please contact the City of Kalispell’s Utility Management Superintendent Joe Schrader at 406-758-7989, or jschrader@kalispell.com, or Public Works Director Susie Turner at 406-758-7852, or sturner@kalispell.com.

What are PFAS and what are the risks?

PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been in use since the 1940s. PFAS are (or have been) found in a wide variety of consumer products and as an ingredient in firefighting foam. PFAS manufacturing and processing facilities, airports, and military installations are some of the contributors of PFAS releases into the air, soil, and water. Because of their widespread use, most people have been exposed to PFAS and there is evidence that exposure to certain PFAS may lead to adverse health effects.

Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS | US EPA

PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time.

Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world and are present at low levels in a variety of food products and in the environment.

PFAS are found in water, air, fish, and soil at locations across the nation and the globe.

There are thousands of PFAS chemicals, and they are found in many different consumer, commercial, and industrial products. This makes it challenging to study and assess the potential human health and environmental risks.

For information on PFOS, PFOA, PFBS, GenX chemicals and other PFAS, including possible health outcomes, you may visit these websites:

PFAS | Montana DEQ ( mt.gov)

Basic information, EPA actions to address PFAS, and links to informational resources: www.epa.gov/pfas

Health information, exposure, and links to additional resources for PFAS in drinking water: www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/drinking-water-health-advis…