PFAS detected in Edgar
Secondary water sources tested above advisory levels
A press release issued by the village of Edgar last week notified citizens about chemical contamination within a rarelyused portion of the municipality’s water supply.
According to the release, which was posted to the village’s website and Facebook page, the village recently tested two entry points within Edgar’s water system for PFAS, which are per-and polyfl uoroalkyl substances found in items like nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics and firefighting foams. Wisconsin communities with populations between 300 and 9,999 residents were mandated to begin the testing in April. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health and Safety (DHS), research suggests that high levels of PFAS exposure may cause health issues such as higher cholesterol levels, decreased fertility in women, lower infant birth weights and increased risk of thyroid disease.
The entry point for Edgar’s primary water source, consisting of two wells located near Chesak Avenue, tested “well below the hazard index” for PFAS, according to the release. However, the second entry point, with service from two wells near Clay Pits Road, tested above the advisory level issued by the state. The PFOA reading for the second entry point was 48.5 nanograms per liter; the DHS recommended groundwater standard is 20 ng/L. PFOA, which stands for perfluorooctanoic acid, is one type of PFAS.
The secondary entry point for the village’s water system is only used when water demand is high or the primary entry point is unable to supply ample amounts. According to the village statement, the second entry point was only used one time in the past 25 years in 2017 when 41,000 gallons of water were supplied from it while a valve near the primary entry point was being replaced.
Due to the lack of use of the secondary entry point, there is no public notice of the PFAS presence required by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). According to the release, the village is working with the DNR and has changed the status of the two wells within the secondary entry point to “inactive.”
Kyle Priest, a DNR water supply engineer, wrote in an email to the village that depending on the individual levels within the two wells now offline, there may need to be action taken, such as treatment or abandonment. He also recommended the village explore additional water supply options sooner rather than later.
According to Village Administrator Jennifer Lopez, the village had been planning to rehab one of the wells within the secondary entry point, but due to the PFAS results, those plans are “on a standstill” and officials will instead “likely begin well exploration” for village-owned land near the corner of Chesak Avenue and East Limits Road.
