Our #1 priority is our customers and protecting the quality of our drinking water. For 125 years the City of Concord Water Resources Department has delievered safe, clean water that meets or exceeds all federal and state regulatory standards.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued proposed regulatory standards to manage the risk for a group of man-made chemicals in drinking water called PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). If finalized, the standards will not take effect until 2031.
What are PFAS?
Created in the 1940s, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of over 12,000 man-made chemicals developed for their oil, grease, heat, and water-resistant properties.
PFAS have been widely used in consumer goods and manufacturing practices for decades. Because of their widespread use, PFAS accumulate in the environment, including in natural water sources.
Why are PFAS a Concern?
They are known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily and can build up over time in the environment and our bodies.
We are exposed to PFAS through the things we eat, drink, breath, and touch.
The full health impacts of PFAS are not yet known. Current research suggests higher exposure to PFAS may increase the risk of high cholesterol, obesity, weakened immune systems, and certain cancers.
Common Products Containing PFAS
PFAS are used in many consumer products and common household items. Examples include water-repellent and stain-resistant fabrics used for clothing, furniture, and carpets, as well as non-stick cookware, food packaging, cosmetics and personal care items, pesticides, and firefighting foams.
Our Proactive Approach to PFAS
We are committed to providing customers with high-quality drinking water. The team of skilled and highly trained professionals in the Water Resources Department conducts water quality tests daily, weekly, monthly and annually to monitor for contaminants and continuously ensure our system meets or exceeds all required state and federal standards. Our water system continues to earn statewide awards for its water quality and commitment to excellence.
Our Water Resources Department has been proactively monitoring PFAS in our water system since 2024, and the data is transparently shared and reported to state and federal regulatory agencies and to our customers in our annual Water Quality Report.
This early testing and monitoring helped us to identify what’s in our environment so we can take action now to continue providing our community with high-quality drinking water.
PFAS Testing & Future Regulation
There is no existing federal or state PFAS limit for drinking water. The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for 29 different PFAS. If finalized, those proposed limits are expected to take effect in 2031.
Our Water Resources Department currently tests for these 29 PFAS.
Since testing began, Lake Fisher has consistently tested above the proposed MCL for one of these 29 compounds, specifically PFOS. The EPA is proposing an MCL for PFOS of 4 ppt (parts per trillion). Levels in Lake Fisher average about 8-12 ppt. Lake Fisher is the natural water source for the Hillgrove Water Treatment Plant.
The Coddle Creek Water Treatment gets its water from Lake Howell. No detectable amount of PFAS has been found in the treated water at Coddle Creek Water Treatment Plant.
Understanding Parts Per Trillion (ppt)
The EPA parts per trillion (ppt) measurement for PFAS is so small it can be hard to imagine.
To put this into perspective, 1 ppt is the equivalent of one drop of food coloring diluted into 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools, or one second in 32,000 years.
What We’re Doing Now & Next Steps
The good news, the one detected PFAS found at Lake Fisher – PFOS – is one that we know the most about and technology exists to effectively treat it.
Of the currently available technologies on the market to remove PFAS/PFOS from drinking water, granular activated carbon (GAC) is one of the most proven and reliable.
- Phase One: We are nearing completion of our GAC installation project at Hillgrove Water Treatment Plant. We are currently adding 4 GAC vessels that can filter out PFOS. These are anticipated to be fully operational by late summer 2026/early fall 2026. This initial phase will lower the amount of PFOS but will not reduce levels below the proposed EPA limits.
- Phase Two: We are planning to add 8 additional GAC vessels at Hillgrove Water Treatment. Construction is anticipated to begin in Fiscal Year 2028-2029. This expansion will allow for longer contact times and PFOS removal to ensure that drinking water leaving the treatment facility is below the EPA’s proposed limits, well before the anticipated 2031 deadline.
