WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Wausau Water Works has announced that they are now testing for additional PFAS compounds in the drinking water supply.
According to a news release the recommendations from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. They recently added four new compounds to their watch list, meaning the utility will now take those into account alongside the two other compounds that were already being watched.
When taking the four additional chemicals into consideration, the city’s water supply did briefly test above 20 parts per trillion (PPT) at 22.7. However, the most recent test numbers show the water contains just under 12 PPT.
Should subsequent tests trigger a formal drinking water advisory or similar notice it will be posted as required.
Wausau Water Works is currently using a temporary resin-based filtration system to remove PFAS from the drinking water supply. A permanent granular-activated carbon filtration system will be installed by the end of 2024.
The GAC system is expected to keep PFAS at non-detectable levels once it is online.
Officials stress that PFAS remains an emerging contaminate which has no established guidance from the US Environmental Protection Agency. Current guidance comes from the state level. However once the USEPA does establish a drinking water standard for the so-called forever chemicals, the DNR is expected to follow suit. City leaders added that they are continuing to track all of the rules and regulations from various agencies regarding PFAS.
