Classic Heights: Updated Public Notice to Drinking Water Customers
PUBLIC NOTICE TO DRINKING WATER CUSTOMERS
PFOA Detected in Water Samples
January 8, 2025
Dear Classic Heights system customer:
As your water utility provider, Washington Water is committed to providing reliable, high-quality water service to customers in the Classic Heights water system by meeting all state and federal water quality standards.
In December of 2023, we notified you that the 2 groundwater wells of Classic Heights had levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)—one of the substances in the PFAS family—at 11.7 parts per trillion (ppt), which slightly exceeds the State Action Level (SAL) of 10 ppt for that compound. The other well contained PFOA at 8.0 ppt which is below the SAL. The SAL is the concentration of a constituent at which, if exceeded, requires water systems to notify their customers of that exceedance. The State Department of Health recommends water systems take action to bring such levels below the SAL for long-term drinking. While both wells are needed to meet customer demand and provide fire protection, we have changed the quantity of water drawn from each well, so that the levels of PFAS throughout the water system can be reduced to the lowest possible level when both wells are in use.
Working with the Washington Department of Health we have continued our rigorous monitoring and testing program. We are collecting quarterly samples at each well site, PFOA results are as follows:
| Month | S01 | S04 | Parts Per Trillion (ppt) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/2024 | 10.5 ppt | 8.3 ppt | |
| 5/2024 | 10.5 ppt | 7.9 ppt | |
| 8/2024 | 9.5 ppt | 7.0 ppt | SAL not exceeded this quarter |
| 10/2024 | 9.7 ppt | 7.4 ppt | SAL not exceeded this quarter |
What does this mean?
The State of Washington established SALs for five substances in the PFAS family and directed water suppliers with their own sources to begin testing for them between 2023-2025. When water supply exceeds this level, the State Department of Health recommends that consumers reduce their exposure to these compounds in drinking water over a lifetime of consumption or for sensitive populations over a shorter period. We have begun testing all of our sources earlier than required, because knowing whether a tested substance is present in our water supply will help us meet or surpass applicable water quality standards.
What are we doing about it?
- The supply of water from both wells is needed to meet the daily demand of our customers and to meet fire flow. It is not possible to take either well offline. We are now drawing 90% of the water supplying the water system from well S04 that is below the State Action Level and are currently limiting the water drawn from well S01 to 10%. We are making these changes to reduce customer exposure to PFOA.
- We will continue to test our water for PFAS, as required.
- We have started the process of assessing treatment options that is intended to, long-term, remove all PFAS from the water system. Funding, design and installation of treatment can take several years.
- We are informing you of these test results and subsequent actions so that you are aware of not only this issue, but also the steps we are taking to resolve it. While we did not cause the PFAS to be in the groundwater, we are committed to appropriately treating for them and removing them from in water we serve.
- We support the EPA’s establishment of a national drinking water standard for these PFAS compounds. which was published on April 26, 2024, the EPA is providing a five-year implementation period to reduce the presence of PFAS, because potential effects for PFAS are based on lifetime exposure and not acute risk.
- We are pursuing legal action against PFAS manufacturers to hold them responsible for the costs to remove these constituents from water, in order to reduce the financial impact of treatment for our customers.
- We are continuing to work closely with the Washington State Department of Health.
What do we know about PFAS?
PFAS are a large family of chemicals that are tasteless, colorless, and odorless. They are manmade compounds that have been used to make carpets, clothing, fabrics for furniture, paper packaging for food, and other materials (e.g., cookware) that are resistant to water, grease, or stains. They are also used for firefighting, at industrial plants, and in other sources, which are some ways they could have seeped from surface soil into the groundwater in some areas.
What are the potential health effects?
Human health effects of PFAS are still being actively researched, and health advice continues to evolve. Some people who drink water containing PFOA in excess of the SAL over many years may experience problems with their cholesterol, liver, thyroid, kidney, or immune system; have high blood pressure during pregnancy, have babies with lower birthweights; and be at higher risk of getting certain types of cancers.
What should you do?
There is nothing required of you at this time. The operational changes we’ve already implemented are expected to reduce the presence of PFOA or other PFAS substances.
- While exposure to PFAS substances comes from a variety of sources, you can learn more about PFAS in drinking water online at:
- Do NOT boil your water to reduce PFAS; boiling water does not reduce these levels.
- If you have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your healthcare provider.
- Please share this notice with others who may drink this water but may not have received this notice directly.
We will keep you updated on any new developments and remain committed to protecting our customers’ health and safety. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us toll-free at (888) 490-3741 or via email at [email protected].