A wide new report reveals disturbing levels of PFA contamination in waterways across the United States, raising urgent questions about the country’s water supply safety.
The study, conducted by the WaterKeeper Alliance in collaboration with a local Waterkeeper Group and the Hispanic Access Foundation, found that 98% of the water levels tested contained Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), a group of toxic and long-term industrial chemicals associated with significant health risks.
Part of the National Water Monitoring Initiative, the report highlights the broad nature of PFAS contamination, particularly from the biosolid-treated agriculture sector, particularly in areas downstream from the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTPS).
Some sites showing chemical spikes of more than 5,000%, the findings point to a growing environmental and public health crisis. This is what we argue is dangerously overlooked at the federal level.
The growing crisis of PFA
The report is based on the 2022 Phase I initiative, which discovered PFA in 83% of sampled rivers, lakes and streams across the country.
The new findings, part of the ongoing multiphase survey, focused on specific, high-risk regions. This is downstream locations in 19 states with 22 WWTPS and 10 biosolid land application sectors, many of which are already useful for communities who are burdened with environmental inequalities.
Using PFASSIVE™ passive sampling technology developed by Sirem, researchers conducted a 20-day extended monitoring effort to provide more reliable results than traditional spot checking methods.
The results were astounding, revealing how deeply entrenched PFAS chemicals are in both urban and rural water systems.
Contamination worsens downstream from the therapeutic plants and fields
This study showed a significant spike in PFA levels in the region downstream from both WWTPS and biosolid application fields.
Contaminant concentrations rose at 95% of sites under the wastewater treatment facility and at 80% of sites downstream from biosolid use. In some cases, chemistry levels have skyrocketed by thousands of points.
One WWTP site saw a total of downstream PFAs increase by about 3,000%, reaching 228.29 parts per trillion (PPT), while the biosolid site reported 5,100% spikes at 106.51 ppt.
Some of the most commonly detected PFAs were compounds such as PFOA and PFO (associated with serious health concerns) and unregulated chemicals such as PFHXA and PFPEA, which increased downstream levels.
Surprisingly, the total PFA concentration at 90% of all WWTP sites and biosolid sites exceeded the 1 PPT health-based threshold set by the Environmental Working Group, a benchmark widely used in public health assessments.
The health and policy implications of PFAS surges
PFA is known for its resistance to degradation and has earned the nickname “Forever Chemicals.”
Long-term exposure is associated with cancer, hormonal destruction, liver damage, and developmental problems. Despite these risks, federal oversight has been delayed.
Several sampling sites have acknowledged that the EPA is particularly dangerous, beyond the proposed national drinking water restrictions of PFOA and PFOS.
However, the Environmental Protection Agency is currently considering rollbacks of proposed rules for several major PFAS chemicals, including PFHXS, PFNA and Genx.
Furthermore, the agency has not yet established national standards for biosolid PFA, despite evidence of its presence in these materials for 20 years.
According to EPA estimates for 2023, about 60% of treated biosolids will be applied to the land, with about a third spreading into the agricultural sector, creating a direct pathway for PFA to enter the ecosystem and food chain.
Marc Yaggi, CEO of Waterkeeper Alliance, added:
“Every day, American communities are often unconsciously exposed, and many face serious and disproportionate health risks. There are tools to deal with this crisis, but political will lack.
“We cannot afford more watered-down regulations and loopholes for industrial polluters. The science is clear. The EPA and lawmakers must act resolutely and urgently for the benefit of the people.”
A call for strong protection and immediate action
The Waterkeeper Alliance and its partners are now urging government action promptly and decisively to curb PFA pollution.
Their recommendations include setting and implementing national PFA restrictions on drinking water and surface water under the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act, banning the land application of PFAS-contaminated biosolids, and regulating PFA as a chemical class to prevent harmful replacement and streamline repair efforts.
As PFA contamination continues to disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, the need for federal leadership and fundraising is more urgent than ever.
With millions of Americans likely to be exposed to these persistent toxins, advocates warn that delays in action risk turning the chemical crisis into a long-term public health disaster.
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