SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — California Water Service (Cal Water) has secured a $4.23 million grant from the Water Replenishment District (WRD) to fund expenditures for treatment equipment that removes perfluoroctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluoroctanoic acid (PFOA) from groundwater in Cal Water’s East Los Angeles District. The treatment plant went online in January 2022 and enabled the utility to return an important water supply source to service for area residents and businesses.
Although there is not a maximum contaminant level (MCL) set for PFOS or PFOA yet, Cal Water proactively tested all active water sources across its service areas in recent years to identify how its systems may be impacted by the contaminants. In the cases where detections reached the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water-established response levels, including this well site in East Los Angeles, the utility decided to remove wells from service until treatment could be installed. Cal Water also shared its test results with state and federal regulators to help them gain a better understanding of how the contaminants have impacted water supplies.
PFOS and PFOA are two of the more common contaminants in a broader family of compounds called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.
“We take our responsibility to deliver a reliable, high-quality water supply to our customers very seriously, and protecting their health and safety…
