Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
Waterbury Water Department
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. PFOS and other perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2015 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2016 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2017 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2018 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2019 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2020 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2021 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2022 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2023 | 0.182 ppt | 5 | 1 | ND - 0.910 ppt |
| 2024 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
ppt = parts per trillion
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
EWG Health Guideline: 0.3 ppt
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.3 ppt for PFOS was defined by EPA's final toxicity value from the Office of Water’s Final Human Health Toxicity Assessment. This health guideline protects againat cardiovascular harm and harm to fetal growth.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 4 ppt
ppt = parts per trillion
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-10-06 | L2359318-02 | ND |
| 2023-10-25 | 300436573A | ND |
| 2023-10-25 | 300436576A | ND |
| 2023-10-25 | 300436577A | 0.910 ppt |
| 2023-12-04 | L2371209-01 | ND |
| 2024-03-04 | L2412134-01 | ND |
| 2024-06-04 | L2430719-01 | ND |