Jasper assures water customers no PFAS forever chemicals found

Jasper Water and Gas Superintendent Tim Doersam gave an update on PFAS testing of the city’s water supply at Monday’s Utility Service Board meeting.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of human-made “forever chemicals” known for resisting heat, water, and grease. Used since the 1940s in products such as non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, and waterproof fabrics, and can be found in cosmetics, shampoo, dental floss, and sunscreens. These chemicals do not easily break down in the environment or the human body, leading to bioaccumulation.

There are concerns that these chemicals are harmful, but according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the sheer number of PFAS chemicals in use makes it difficult to determine which ones are harmful.

State and federal agencies are monitoring the accumulation of these chemicals in the environment and as such, have required testing of public water supplies. In 2023, Jasper Municipal Water conducted four rounds of testing for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) in the City of Jasper drinking water supply in compliance with State and Federal monitoring requirements under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). In addition, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) conducted PFAS monitoring of all community public water systems in Indiana, including Jasper.

During the initial sampling event, a trace level of perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) was reported. PFBA is one of many PFAS compounds that are monitored during UCMR5 testing.

According to city officials, no PFAS compounds were detected in the three subsequent rounds of testing, and no PFAS compounds were detected in IDEM’s independent sampling of the Jasper water system.

At the time of the first sampling, national PFAS testing protocols were still being developed.

According to Doersam, they learned that the personnel conducting the test couldn’t have recently been exposed to soaps and shampoos, been wearing synthetic clothing during the test, or handled other items or materials that were exposed to or featured PFAS. These recommendations came out after the first test was completed.

“We found that the first test was contaminated,” Doersam told the Jasper Utility Service Board on Monday.

Following the initial sampling, enhanced protocols were implemented, including strict controls on clothing, equipment, and materials used during sampling. With these improved protocols in place, no PFAS compounds have been detected in Jasper’s drinking water supply.

IDEM’s tests have also concurred with the utility’s testing results.

“The city’s drinking water source is the Patoka River, and Jasper Municipal Water continues to work closely with state and federal regulators to monitor emerging contaminants and maintain the highest standards of water quality,” the city said on its notification application, Jasper INsight. “Providing residents with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water remains our highest priority, and we will continue to monitor PFAS and other contaminants in accordance with all state and federal requirements.”