In a recent revelation, as many as 49 public water utility systems in Texas have been found to exceed the new federal limits for certain hazardous chemicals in drinking water. These pollutants, termed "forever chemicals" because of their persistence in the environment and the human body, have become a matter of national concern, highlighted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) establishment of the first-ever standards for five specific perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), as reported by the Texas Tribune.
These chemicals, extensively used in consumer and industrial products since the 1940s, have penetrated water systems to a point where the EPA's new legally enforceable limits of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, and, 10 parts per trillion for PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA have been surpassed. According to a national study, the undying presence of PFAS has been detected in the blood of nearly 97% of Americans, raising alarms for its links to cancer and other severe health issues. In a statement released by the WFAA, EPA Administrator Michael Regan emphasized that tackling PFAS is a "top priority" and actions are underway to safeguard communities against these harmful chemicals.
Water systems across the state are now faced with the daunting task of meeting these standards within five years. Notably, data submitted to the EPA from Texas reveals, only about 24% of the national figure, indicating that many more systems could potentially exceed the thresholds. The ramifications of these exceedances include the need for costly treatment plans and potentially raising water rates for customers. The Texas Tribune highlights the concern of Mary Gugliuzza, from the Fort Worth Water Department, on the expensive nature of the technologies required for addressing this contamination.
Legal actions are also brewing, with several cities considering lawsuits against chemical manufacturers who have historically contributed to the proliferation of PFAS. Fort Worth and Dallas notably rejected two class-action settlements last year with 3M and DuPont, opting to file their lawsuits in pursuit of more substantial compensation. Gage Zobell, a partner at Dorsey & Whitney, mentioned to the Texas Tribune the federal aid's inadequacy in covering the removal costs, implying that water utilities could increase customer charges or sue the responsible parties to fund the necessary upgrades.
Despite these challenges, proactive measures are already being taken by some. Fort Worth’s water testing, for example, detected levels of PFHxS, PFOA, and other components above the new EPA limits at their North and South Holly water treatment plants, prompting an accelerated search for treatment options. The state of Texas, along with affected communities, must grapple with a new realm of environmental stewardship to ensure the purity of its water and the health of its inhabitants. As the data flows in and the magnitude of the problem becomes clearer, individuals, municipalities, and manufacturers alike face a reckoning with the lasting legacy of these so-called forever chemicals.
