Read the full article (Wilmington News Journal)
“WILMINGTON — Very low levels of legacy chemicals have been detected in Wilmington water, city officials learned Thursday.
Ohio EPA, as part of an ongoing state-wide examination of every drinking water facility, tested for six types of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds.
The sampling of Wilmington’s water occurred in July, and EPA notified the city Thursday that two of the six types of compounds were detected in Wilmington water, according to a news release from the city. The detected compounds are known as PFOS and PFHxS and are well below Ohio EPA’s Action Level for these chemicals.
PFAS chemicals have been used for decades in everyday items such as food packaging, nonstick cookware, water-resistant clothing, and personal care products. These compounds have also been widely used in firefighting foams at military installations and fire training facilities.
City Water Protection Coordinator Travis Luncan said, ‘The vast majority of PFAS exposure people experience come from things other than drinking water. But we are committed to ensuring our drinking water does not continue to be a source of PFAS.’
The compounds are most likely a legacy of the former military operations at the Wilmington Air Park.
Rick Schaffer, Public Works Director, stated, ‘Some PFAS compounds don’t break down and have become pervasive throughout the environment. They are probably in the sediment of Indian Run and Cowan Creek, which are used to fill the City’s reservoirs at Burtonville.’
Tests for these types of chemicals were done about five years ago and none were detected in Wilmington water. The testing methods have become more sensitive since then, meaning the compounds can now be detected at levels about 10 times lower.
With the results of the most recent test being a fraction of the action levels, EPA is only requiring four more sampling events over the next year which would be used to develop an action plan to reduce contamination…”