Residents on Windward Oʻahu who use the water services of the St. Stephen Diocesan Center might want to pay attention to a recent public health notification. Testing has revealed the presence of PFAS, specifically Perfluoroctane Sulfonic Acid, in the SSDC-1 Well Chlorinator's water system, though reported at levels not immediately threatening to health. The detected concentrations were sporadic, varying from non-detected to a peak of 2.7 nanograms per liter—the EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level for PFOS is set at 4.0 ng/L, fortunately giving the current findings a little breathing room, according to the Hawaii Department of Health.
The EPA keeps a watchful eye on these substances, which have been part of consumer and industrial products since the 1940s. They're not just in your non-stick pans or waterproof jackets; they've found their way into firefighting foams as well. Perfluoroctane Sulfonic Acid are a known environmental and health concern, and the St. Stephen Diocesan Center's water system was quick to notify the Hawaiʻi Department of Health on May 29 of the initial detection, as detailed by the Hawaii Department of Health press release.
The Roman Catholic Church in Hawaiʻi, which owns the water system, is now tasked to manage the fallout and provide pertinent information to consumers. With the PFOS levels below the EPA's MCL, users don't necessarily have to anxiously reevaluate their water usage just yet. According to the Hawaii Department of Health, public health is not at immediate risk, though the situation is surely to closely be monitored by both the church and health officials.
For more information about PFAS, you can visit the EPA’s website or the Hawaii Department of Health’s PFAS page. If you have questions, you can also contact the St. Stephen Diocesan Center water system directly. These recent detections highlight the need for regular testing and quick reporting, as even small amounts of contaminants matter. Stay informed by keeping an eye on updates from the EPA and the Hawaii Department of Health.
