Quincy residents to get alerts as PFAS in water exceed new state standards

QUINCY, Ill — Quincy is one of 47 communities across Illinois where PFAS — a class of synthetic chemicals linked to long-term health risks — have been detected in drinking water at levels that exceed new state safety standards, according to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

As part of the state’s Right-to-Know law, affected communities, including Quincy, are now required to notify residents of these detections. The notices may arrive by mail and outline key health information, how PFAS enter drinking water, and what steps residents can take to limit exposure.

Here is a copy of that notice:

Although the sampling that revealed PFAS contamination in Quincy and other communities took place between 2020 and 2021, the Illinois EPA has recently adopted enforceable groundwater quality standards for four PFAS chemicals. These new limits, mean that public water systems are now required to notify residents when those limits are exceeded — making this the first time many are learning about the presence of PFAS in their water.

In Quincy, testing found several types of PFAS in the water. That includes PFOA at 3.3 nanograms per liter and PFOS at 5.8 — both above the state’s new safety limits. Other chemicals like PFBS and PFHxA were also detected.

PFAS, sometimes called “forever chemicals,” are used in a wide range of consumer products for their resistance to heat, oil and water. While they don’t break down easily in the environment, they can accumulate in the human body over time.

According to the Illinois EPA’s public health notice, exposure to PFAS has been associated with health risks including increased cholesterol, thyroid issues, reduced immune response, and elevated risks of certain cancers. The agency emphasizes that exposure does not guarantee adverse health effects, but recommends steps to reduce risk, such as installing certified home water filters or using reverse osmosis systems.

Quincy Public Works Director Jeffrey Conte says they have not seen any levels of PFAS over the state standard in over 3 years.

“We haven’t had any detections above the limits since January of 2022, so it’s been over three years since we’ve seen water samples that have had over 4 parts per trillion for either of those two compounds,” said Conte.

Public Works will send out notices to the public if the limits are exceeded once again.

Three additional communities in Hancock County — Nauvoo, Hamilton and Warsaw — also reported PFAS detections above the state’s guidance limits. Most other communities in our area, including Macomb, Beardstown, Pittsfield and Rushville, reported no PFAS detections during the 2020–2021 statewide sampling effort.

While public water systems are not currently required to install treatment systems, new federal rules will require compliance with enforceable PFAS limits by April 2029. In the meantime, residents can visit the Illinois EPA PFAS webpage for more information, and view specific test results for their water system at Drinking Water Watch.

Where PFAS Were (and Weren’t) Detected

Confirmed Detections Above State Limits

These communities had confirmed detections of PFAS exceeding Illinois EPA groundwater standards:

• Quincy (Adams County)
• Nauvoo (Hancock County)
• Hamilton (Hancock County)
• Warsaw (Hancock County)

Unconfirmed Detections

These systems had single detections not confirmed by follow-up testing:

• Carthage (Hancock County)
• Chapin, Jacksonville (Morgan County)

No Detections Reported

No PFAS were found in the following systems during 2020–2021 testing:

• Adams County: Lima, Clayton-Camp Point Water Commission, Expressway MHP, Payson, Plainville
• Hancock County: Dallas Rural Water District, LaHarpe, Plymouth
• McDonough County: Blandinsville, Good Hope, Bushnell, Prairie City, Stratford West Apartments, Macomb, Vermont
• Schuyler County: Browning, Astoria, Rushville
• Brown County: Versailles, Clayton-Camp Point Water Commission
• Pike County: Hull, Kinderhook, Barry, Pike County PWD 1, Pittsfield, Pleasant Hill, Griggsville, Milton, Pearl
• Scott County: Bluffs, South Jacksonville, Winchester, Roodhouse
• Cass County: Beardstown, Chandlerville, Virginia, Arenzville
• Morgan County: Meredosia, Waverly

You can view the Illinois EPA PFAS Sampling Network (2020-2021) report here.