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PFAS | Industry & Public Water System Screening

PFAS Resources

Industry & Public Water System Screening

Revised on: August 21, 2023 - 11:30 p.m.

In Arizona, there are no known manufacturers of PFAS chemicals. Research also indicates PFAS compounds were not used on large-scale industrial applications and tend to be localized near areas of potential frequent use.

In 2018, ADEQ developed and conducted a PFAS screening program for public water systems with wells near areas of potential frequent PFAS use, which included industrial and manufacturing facilities, firefighting training facilities, airports and military sites. Initial screening program results showed more than 94 percent of the public water systems were either non-detect for PFAS tested or below EPA’s 2016 HAL | View Report > | View Map >

Public water systems with PFAS test results higher than EPA’s 2016 HAL have been voluntarily working with ADEQ to reduce exposure to customers and ADEQ is conducting expanded sampling and testing of these systems.

In September 2022, ADEQ announced an agreement with the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) to dedicate $3 Million of federal Safe Drinking Water Act funds to ensure that every public water system in Arizona is tested for PFAS. ADEQ’s proactive sampling plan goes above and beyond the PFAS sampling the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will require for Arizona public water systems as part of its fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) that begins in January 2023. EPA’s UCMR5 only will require public water systems that serve more than 3,300 customers to test for PFAS.

ADEQ’s statewide PFAS sampling plan will include all Arizona public water systems that have not yet been tested by ADEQ, the public water system or under EPA’s UCMR:

  • ADEQ will continue to conduct PFAS sampling for public water systems affected by the proposed EPA PFAS National Primary Drinking Regulation (NPDR). If a public water system already is sampling for PFAS, ADEQ will request their data.
  • ADEQ’s sampling activities will be conducted under a PFAS Quality Assurance Program Plan and similar to EPA’s UCMR5, the samples will be analyzed using EPA Methods 533 and 537.1.
  • As ADEQ PFAS sample results become available, ADEQ will share validated data with the public water system owners and operators.
  • All data collected by ADEQ will be validated, verified and also made available to the public through an interactive map on ADEQ’s website | View Map >

When PFAS are detected at a public water system during an ADEQ sampling event, ADEQ will contact the public water system to discuss EPA’s recommendations that they:

  • Take steps to inform customers,
  • Examine steps to limit exposure, and
  • Undertake additional sampling to assess the level, scope, and source of contamination.

To assist public water systems with potential PFAS challenges, ADEQ compiled an Arizona Public Water System PFAS Toolkit with information regarding funding, sampling, customer communication, and potential PFAS treatment options | View/Download Toolkit >

PFAS resolution options must be carefully determined and consider the number of people served, system design and the level of PFAS reduction needed. These options generally include installing a PFAS treatment unit, turning off an impacted well (if other wells are in production), installing in-home point-of-use water treatment systems and others.

Introduction to PFAS in Arizona

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