City of Pataskala issued the following announcement on Sept. 28.
The Pataskala Utility Department recently participated in an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) program that tested our drinking water supply for a group of chemicals known as Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). I’d like to take a moment and explain what PFAS are as well as the results of Pataskala’s samples.
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that were created to make a wide variety of consumer and industrial products. The largest creator of these chemicals was the DuPont Chemical Company. PFAS were used in products like nonstick coatings (Teflon), stain resistant coatings (Scotch Guard), grease resistant papers (microwave popcorn bags), water resistant clothing, certain personal hygiene products and cosmetics, various paints, and as a major ingredient in firefighting foams.
PFAS chemicals have extremely strong chemical bonds that are very difficult to break. As a result, they do not naturally break down and can have a cumulative affect in both living beings and the environment. This characteristic has given them the nickname “forever chemicals”. It has been shown that PFAS have been found in every region of the planet, as well as in most Americans bloodstreams. It is estimated that as many as 99.7 % of people in the United States have some level of PFAS inside their bodies. Higher levels of these chemicals are known to cause problems with infant birth weights, weakened immune systems, thyroid hormone disruptions and cancer.
The OEPA decided to take proactive measures to determine the level of contamination in drinking water for various Public Water Systems throughout Ohio. To do this, they instituted a drinking water source sampling program. The Pataskala Utility Department was an eager participant in this sampling program. The samples taken for Pataskala were from the raw water source that is used for all of its customer’s potable water needs.
It is with great pleasure that I share with you the results of those samples. The OEPA found that PFAS chemicals were NOT detected in samples collected from the Pataskala Utility Department. This is great news for the department and its customers.
Our drinking water source is the South Fork Licking River Buried Valley Aquifer. These samples show that Pataskala has an extremely valuable resource of clean and safe drinking water buried right below our feet. The sample results also reiterate the importance of protecting that drinking water. We should all realize the importance of proper disposal of hazardous chemicals. If we all maintain our responsible stewardship of the environment, we will maintain the safe drinking water source that is easily taken for granted but is such a vital component of our success as a community.
We are happy to answer any questions at: Utilities Department, 430 South Main St, 740-964-6275
Original source can be found here.
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