That meant some customers were still drinking tainted water, but not every day. . You can access the data used in the map at the links below. More than 500 people showed up at a meeting where officials from the EPA, Air Force and local communities insisted they were doing all they could to clean the water. Many residents point to evidence that the Pentagon was alerted decades ago that the chemicals in firefighting foam could be harmful. First, more testing is needed to detect contaminated drinking water. Toxic PFAS chemicals, used as lubricants and repellants in products ranging from firefighting foam to . After new rounds of water tests, providers who find contaminants must then clean their water, Birnbaum said. The veteran believes his water has poisoned him over the years, causing him to have thyroid issues that have become so severe, he had to quit work. Before 2016, residents and local officials didnt know they had been drinking contaminated water, perhaps for decades. Email: booth@coloradosun.com Twitter: @MBoothDenver A new analysis of an EPA database shows demand for PFAS in fracking and other industries puts Front Range at the top of the contamination list. TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) Three chemical manufacturing companies have reached a deal to resolve complaints of polluting many U.S. drinking water systems with compounds known as PFAS. Researchers anticipate that other water sources in the state are tainted, as well, but have yet to be tested. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. But no one can tell her if drinking from the well all those years could cause future illnesses. The Security-Widefield site was one of several involved in the nationwide study, some of which are ongoing. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Those levels are meant as a preliminary warning while the EPA develops more formal and enforceable regulations for the compounds. Previously acceptable levels for two types of chemicals, one called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and another called perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), sat at 70 parts per trillion. Venetucci Farm in Security hasn't been able to plant vegetables or other edibles in the ground since it shut down operations in 2016, said manager Nikki McComsey. A 2021 report notes that Colorado has the highest PFAS footprint in the country, with approximately 21,000 sites suspected of using or storing such compounds. All tap-water samples collected in Security and Widefield during an exposure assessment in 2019 and 2020 met EPA guidelines, according to a report the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released in June. It became a nightmare, he says, Disney-DeSantis judge steps aside over relatives shares, Oath Keeper who guarded Roger Stone before Jan. 6 attack gets more than 4 years in prison, Debt ceiling vote splits Democratic candidates for Feinsteins Senate seat, Biden trips and falls on stage at Air Force graduation; White House says hes fine, Column: The DOJs classified documents case was already dire for Trump. But on June 15 the EPA lowered those levels to .004 parts per trillion for PFOA and .02 parts per trillion for PFOS. Grandjean praised Colorados recent legislation to phase out certain products made with PFAS, but said more work must be done. Beginning this month, a new state law requires utilities to inform customers if PFAS are found at any level in their water. SIGN UP HERE to tell your story at the mobile recording booth at the Plaza of the Rockies (or submit a story recorded remotely). The new report by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assessed exposure to the chemicals using blood and urine samples from residents, comparing it to national levels. Participants can sign up at www.co-scope.org. The EPAs new guidelines arent legally enforceable and the agency isnt expected to propose its more formal regulations until later this year. The Environmental Working Group, an environmental education and research group, estimates that at least 2,500 industrial facilities across the U.S. could be discharging PFAS into the air, water and soil. An ion-exchange process, pioneered by Brandon Bernard, manager of water and wastewater operations for Security Water and Sanitation Districts, employs resin as the agent that helps reduce PFAS compounds in raw water, instead of the traditional activated carbon. For decades, firefighters at the base sprayed PFAS-laden foam that seeped into an underground aquifer that supplies the areas drinking water, Pentagon records show. Instead, it suggested that rates of smoking and obesity may be responsible. Contests & Promotions, 2023, Pikes Peak Television, Inc. Colorado Springs, CO, USA, 2023 Colorado Springs Mayoral Runoff Election Results, KRDO hosts Colorado Springs Mayoral debate ahead of runoff election, Police testify about confronting gunman at Pittsburgh synagogue, As end of session nears, Louisiana lawmakers advance controversial LGBTQ+-related bills, Silver says Morant not being charged with a crime wont prevent NBA penalties, Donald Trumps lawyers ask judge to exit criminal case, echoing claims of political bias. "It does weigh on you, it weighs on your mind," Graham said. "We do know that some other states have looked at creating an even broader margin of safety. But Thornton isnt alone. Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. Literally overnight, none of our wells were compliant, said Roy Heald, manager of Securitys water and sanitation districts. Under the EPAs old standard of 70 parts per trillion, most of those sources fell well below the federal health advisory level. The contamination near Colorado Springs was traced to Peterson Air Force Base, 12 miles north of Fountain, where firefighters for decades sprayed PFAS-laden foam that seeped into an underground aquifer that supplies the areas drinking water, Pentagon testing records show. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. The report did show elevated blood levels of two types of PFAS in a sampling of 318 adults and 28 children living in Security and Widefield who had possibly ingested foul water. I know a lot of people who have gotten sick, but from what is the question.. The EWG-identified sites are scattered beyond the areas south of Colorado Springs, in north metro Denver and west of Boulder . We tested for 18 PFAS compounds in 2020 and 2021, including PFOA and PFOS. The history of PFAS research shows, Dani said, that new rounds of tests produce surprisingly bad results that may push that timeframe to be a lot quicker, just with the urgency.. ", As far as next steps said, a spokesperson for Frisco said, "even though Frisco's PFOA and PFOS levels were well below the maximum set by the advisory, the Town of Frisco will be partnering with the EPA and the CDPHE to further evaluate PFAS levels and increase frequency of testing to see if they change over time. And shes not worried about the quality of the water there. Other PFAS were not higher than the national average or were detected too infrequently to compare to national averages, according to the report. Conrad Swanson covers the environment and politics for The Denver Post. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), A puddle of water sits in a retaining pond below firefighting training area at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo. High cholesterol levels in those exposed are also common impacts. One method using granular activated charcoal can remove some of the compounds but new ways are needed to clean the water of other types of chemicals, she said. Learn more about the proposed regulation 1 2 3 PFAS Explained Increased federal and local scrutiny of PFAS is good but overdue, Philippe Grandjean, adjunct professor of environmental health at Harvard, said. Schools, campgrounds and fire protection districts also have elevated levels. It will also force water systems to either shut down wells that test over the federal health advisory level or notify customers of the contamination. Best move Stan Kroenke, Josh Kroenke never made. Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registration, Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Your Health, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Understanding PFAS Exposure and Your Body, PFAS Exposure Assessment Technical Tools (PEATT), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO 80246, Colorado Health Information Data Set (CoHID), Office of Public Health Practice, Planning, and Local Partnerships (OPHP), Air Quality - Monitoring, Modeling and Data, Learn if your public water system has tested for PFAS, COMING SOON: PFAS in treated drinking water map. The state's Water Quality Control Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to enact a policy to put new limits on per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS. Shes stopped using the water for drinking and cooking. The Air Force does not accept responsibility for unknown or undefined potential health effects, particularly when the cause of those effects are not identified.. . Pollution of those products can then lead to contamination of the water supply. PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and are considered "forever chemicals" because they don't break down in the environment. Its not something a Realtor will tell you when you buy a house here.. Mitchell and other local officials flew to Washington in late 2017 to ask Air Force officials at the Pentagon to pay the bill. And many more drinking water sources across the state are probably similarly contaminated but havent yet been tested, experts say, which is cause for concern and immediate action. Nearly 350 people participated in the study, including 28 children. Many water providers have sued the three DuPont companies and others that made or used the compounds. They also enlisted Colorados congressional delegation, including Sens. Ive lived here for 21 years, and I would really like to see more concern by local and national officials, she said. In Colorado, the state health department just tested 400 water districts for the very first time, touting it found no water systems had levels above the EPA's guidelines. The reaction of residents reflected their frustration and cynicism about the military: The Pentagon would find a way to block the regulations, one told the EPA representatives. WASHINGTON The EPA has proposed designating two forever chemicals as hazardous substances under the Superfund law. Letters: Polis was wrong to veto wolf reintroductionpolicies, Community advocates immediately criticize Colorados newly adopted environmental justice rules, Heavy smoke from Canadian fires turns air brown in Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Greeley. Researchers found the concentration of chemicals higher for older participants, with males having higher blood levels of PFHxS and PFOS than females. We have to accept that we have ignored this problem for years and we have forgotten that our priorities should be the next generation, Grandjean said. They said were low-income and eat a lot of fast food thats the cause, Rash said. At one drinking well in Security, the PFAS level reached 1,370 parts per trillion nearly 20 times higher than the EPAs health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion. From that data, there is no evidence that fluorinated acrylic alkylamino copolymer has been used in Colorado operations, Colorado Oil and Gas Association spokesman Scott Prestidge said, in an email. The goal: Sample the blood and urine from 1,000 Fountain Valley residents to provide a better scientific understanding about the relationships between PFAS exposure and certain health outcomes and help people understand their risk for health effects, the spokeswoman said. PFAS in Colorado 2016 -El Paso County Not only should water officials in Colorado and the rest of the country, ramp up testing efforts but they should also invest in new ways to clean drinking water, pinpoint contamination sources and cut out products that use the harmful compounds. Through this process, people have realized they cant trust certain aspects of what they hear from the government, said Cornelius, the Colorado College professor. They want to see action on the regulatory issues, says Tyler Cornelius, a Colorado College professor and a local clean water activist. Colorado Springs, Colo. marks the third community engagement event following the event in New Hampshire in June and Pennsylvania last month. StoryCorps is coming to Colorado Springs June 1-28. The PFAS levels were quite a bit higher than I expected, said Anne Starling, a researcher with the Colorado School of Public Health, one of the studys authors. For local governments, the immediate need was to install temporary filters to remove the chemicals an expense that the Air Force agreed to pay. So we do want to investigate and do additional testing to see whats out there and evaluate that risk.. Jared Polis signs ghost guns ban into law, A group of women will stage a sit-in at the Colorado Capitol to demand Polis declare a state of emergency over gun violence, Colorados tallest building is worth millions of dollars less than it used to be. California will follow in coming years with standards on what is technically and economically feasible in cleaning up existing contamination. Close collaboration between the EPA, state, local health department, water systems and other organizations to address these situations and reduce exposure. Those districts include Arapahoe County WWWA, with a level of 23 parts per trillion for the six PFAS chemicals regulated under Massachusetts, Forest Hills Riva Chase Water in the foothills at 26.4 parts per trillion, and Frisco Water with a level of 58.5 parts per trillion at one entry point tested. In an early sign of the economic effects of PFAS, Venetucci Farm near Colorado Springs stopped all agricultural production and let go of staff after PFAS chemicals were discovered in 2016 in the water used by the property, linked to firefighting foams used at Peterson Air Force Base.. Susan Gordon, a former manager at Venetucci, struggled to make a case for keeping the farm and . No one in North America was doing ion exchange, he said, citing its superiority in containing PFAS breakthroughs longer and ease of use because it does not require other substances, such as nitrate, to be sloughed off. So we can continue to protect the safety of drinking water across Colorado.". The industrial operations at the installation generally are associated with . Here are some often-asked questions residents have about how to limit their exposure and reduce the level of PFAS in their tap water. In Fountain, officials shuttered four of the towns large wells during the high-use summer months. This includes directly interviewing sources and research / analysis of primary source documents. Representatives of Colorados oil and gas trade said PFAS chemicals are not used by their members, and that the industry has worked with legislators and regulators to find alternatives for other PFAS uses such as on-site firefighting foam. State officials investigating PFAS contamination and solutions in Colorado said they are not surprised by the extent of the EPA PFAS listings. Since the 2016 revelation that groundwater in Fountain Valley, which provided drinking water for Security-Widefield and Fountain, was contaminated with toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Fountain Valley wells were shut down six years ago, after the toxic firefighting foam used in training at nearby Peterson Space Force Base leached into the Widefield aquifer at elevated amounts. Earlier this month, the House voted 247 to 159 in favor of a bill requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to designate PFAS as hazardous substances, which would free up funds for the cleanup at contaminated sites. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry held public sessions for residents in June and July, with 68 people seeking information online and in person, according to a spokeswoman. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. CDPHE Fish Sampling National Parks Service Department of Defense PFAS Reports Corrective Action Site PFAS Reports Identifying priority areas for sampling We currently are working to identify areas potentially at greater risk of PFAS contamination. The health departments first job, state toxicologist Kristy Richardson said, is to find and break potential PFAS exposures, and thats why Colorado has emphasized water sampling. That's the result of a study into the chemicals by the CDC,. 2023 Colorado Public Radio. Oil and gas sites use PFAS or chemicals that break down into PFAS in fluids for drilling and fracking, in firefighting foam, and in equipment for lighting and backup power, Mercola said. The Colorado General Assembly concluded that such regulation is necessary upon the determination that "PFAS chemicals pose a significant threat to the environment of the state and the health of . The meetings will be held in the fall 2019 or 2020. Updated: Jun 3, 2022 / 08:46 PM MDT. ", "The science indicates that the 70 parts per trillion for the two chemicals included in that (EPA) health advisory provides a level below which we wouldn't expect health effects," Putnam explained. More than a hundred drinking water sources across Colorado ranging from cities and counties to elementary schools and campgrounds contain what are now considered to be potentially hazardous. In Colorado, the towns of Fountain, Security and Widefield, just south of Colorado Springs, learned that firefighting foam used at a nearby military installation had likely contaminated groundwater and soil with PFAS. Results of recent studies, combined with new Environmental Protect Agency health advisories and expected industry regulations, mean other Colorado communities likely will need to remediate in upcoming years. Broadly speaking, the experts agreed that four things must now happen. Heres what to know about tenant protections lawmakers are considering. Earlier this year, the EPA settled the complaint, released the information, and paid PEERs legal fees, in 2021. Residents have filed suit, testified in Washington and nevertheless remain deeply disillusioned by what they describe as the grudging, sometimes evasive, government response. If you'd like find water filters that remove PFAS from tap water, check out this Duke/NC State PFAS study. More testing is underway, through the Colorado Study on Community Outcomes from PFAS Exposure. A map released in July by the Environmental Working Group put the number of Colorado locations possibly handling and discharging PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) into the environment at 501. His mother worked for four decades at Peterson, one of many relatives who served in the armed forces or were employed by the Defense Department. (Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP), How gun violence in Colorado hit a 40-year high, A map released in July by the Environmental Working Group, oil and gas companies in some states used PFAS or chemicals that break down into PFAS in fracking wells between 2012 and 2020, moved out in front of the EPA and other states in July. A report released in June identified more than 200 state water providers that tested in 2020above what the EPA defines as potentially hazardous PFAS levels and recommended they notify consumers. This is quite scary when you see these low numbers and you realize that its just about everybody thats exposed to these amounts, Grandjean said. The areas drinking water has been deemed safe, said Heald of Security Water and Sanitation. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. 11 Jan PFAS Water Testing in Colorado Springs Are you concerned about the presence of PFAS in your drinking water? 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