PFAS FAQs
What is PFAS?
Throughout the northeast and across the nation, state and local officials, health departments, and water utilities–including Torrington Water Company—have focused their attention on a group of human-made chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
PFAS are a family of chemicals widely used since the 1950s to manufacture common consumer products, and are also used in firefighting foams. These substances have been detected in drinking waters, including public and private water supplies, bottled water, consumer products, food, and cookware. They have been linked to a variety of health risks, particularly in women who are pregnant or nursing, and in infants.
In recognition of the growing concern about PFAS, Aquarion voluntarily began PFAS testing soon after acquiring the Torrington system in 2022. These results, which were obtained by a laboratory certified by the state of Connecticut for PFAS analysis, showed that PFAS levels in our water supplies were less than the original advisory limit of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) defined by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
On March 15, 2023 the US EPA proposed a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for 6 of the following PFAS Compounds: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), Perfluorononoctanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS), and Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, aka GenX Chemicals). Torrington Water Company is continuing our voluntary PFAS testing program in each of our water systems to ensure our customers receive the highest quality water achievable. This proposed rule does not require action until it is finalized in 2024, however, Torrington Water Company will proactively be working to meet the proposed NPDWR.
Below are the proposed Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs):
- PFOA – 4 ppt
- PFOS – 4 ppt
- PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and HFPO-DA – 1.0 Hazard Index (unitless)
On June 15, 2022, the US EPA issued revised health advisories for four PFAS based on new information on the life-long exposure risk to these compounds. The health advisory levels identify levels of PFAS that will protect all people, including sensitive populations and life stages, from adverse health effects resulting from exposure throughout their lives to these PFAS. The health advisories are non-enforceable and non-regulatory advisories.
CT DPH also issued revised guidance on June 15, 2022 with the issuance of Action Levels for four of the following PFAS compounds: Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), Perfluorononoctanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS). The levels are non-enforceable and testing by a utility continues to be voluntary.
- PFOS – 10 ppt
- PFNA – 12 ppt
- PFOA – 16 ppt
PFHxS – 49 ppt
What has Torrington Water Company been doing?
- Aquarion started voluntary testing of its Torrington water sources in 2022 and continues to conduct voluntary testing. All samples are analyzed by a laboratory that is certified by the state of Connecticut for PFAS analysis.
- Torrington Water Company's latest sampling results are available through the Water Quality Management Department. To learn more, contact Water Quality at 1‑800‑832‑2373.
- Torrington Water Company also shares PFAS results in its annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs). Torrington Water Company’s latest Connecticut CCRs are now available at aquarionwater.com/torrington/water-quality.
- Torrington Water Company also inspected land use activities around each of our water supplies (wells and reservoirs) and found no high-risk contamination sources such as industrial, commercial, and municipal activities that might release high levels of PFAS to the environment.
Torrington Water Company will remain vigilant about this important issue, including additional testing for PFAS at some of our water sources. We will continue to share test results with our customers and state and local officials. We will also continue to work with the public health agencies and drinking water associations to ensure the protection of our drinking water supplies, and delivery of high-quality water to our customers.
Below are Torrington Water Company's PFAS sampling results. Values listed as “ND” (not detected) include results detected at a level below the EPA minimum reporting level of 2 ppt. This is the smallest amount of PFAS that the lab can confidently and reliably measure.
Our Testing Results
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