Water Utility

Today the US EPA released draft standards for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. PFAS are a group of human-made substances that are widespread in the environment and can impact human health. The proposed standards take into account the best available science on human health impacts of PFAS and the detection limitations of drinking water testing facilities.

All of the City of Madison’s drinking water wells that are currently operating meet the proposed EPA standards. Well 15 has been shut down since 2019 due to PFAS contamination, and will not come back into use until the City installs a treatment system to remove the PFAS from the water.

“I applaud the US EPA for proposing strong drinking water standards for harmful PFAS compounds. This is a big step forward to protect people’s health using the latest the science,” said Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. “I am happy to report that all of Madison’s functioning wells meet the proposed standards. The exception – Well 15 near Truax – will remain shut down until we construct a treatment system to remove the PFAS.”

For more information about PFAS testing in Madison, visit https://www.cityofmadison.com/water/water-quality/water-quality-testing/perfluorinated-compounds.