PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a group of manmade chemicals manufactured in various industries around the globe. Some PFAS persist in the environment, and people can be exposed to these chemicals through air, indoor dust, food, drinking water, and various consumer products. Ongoing research has found that exposure to levels of certain PFAS above health advisory guidelines has been linked to health problems, including:
- Liver damage
- Thyroid disease
- Decreased fertility
- Lower birth weight
- Asthma
- High blood pressure
- Cancer
Learn More about PFAS
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH)
The total extent of PFAS in Boulder County’s water resources is unknown. However, ongoing testing has identified PFAS in both Public Water Systems and private drinking water wells in Boulder County. Private drinking water wells for homes in the Sugarloaf Fire Protection District and the Boulder Mountain Fire District have tested above the EPA’s health advisory, most likely due to historical use of firefighting foams that contain PFAS.
Additionally, a small number of Public Water Systems in Boulder County have detected PFAS levels above the minimum reporting threshold. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment maintains web map resources that show results from PFAS sampling projects throughout the state. You can use this information to determine whether PFAS have been detected in the water supplies in your area. If you have concerns about PFAS in your drinking water, it is recommended that you contact your public water provider or have your private well tested.
Identifying PFAS in Boulder County
To further explore other areas of possible contamination, Boulder County Public Health is collaborating with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to conduct additional testing of private well water.
The eleven areas shown on the map have been identified as areas to explore further to determine whether PFAS contamination is present and at what levels.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment – PFAS Map
Free Private Well Testing
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment administers the state’s PFAS Grant Program, which offers free private well testing. Private well owners interested in having their well tested for PFAS can complete the sampling request form linked below.
- PFAS Sampling Request for Private Well Owners (Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment)
Options for PFAS Drinking Water Treatment
You can reduce your exposure to PFAS in drinking water by utilizing an appropriate water treatment system. Not all water treatment options effectively remove PFAS from your drinking water. Specifically, reverse osmosis and granulated activated carbon technologies have been shown to be effective at removing PFAS. However, when selecting a water treatment option, it is essential to look for products that have been demonstrated or certified to remove PFAS to non-detectable levels.
- PFAS Water Treatment Fact Sheet (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment)
