Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of human-made chemicals that have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries in the United States since the 1940s, and found in many consumer products like cookware, food packaging, and stain repellants. PFAS manufacturing and processing facilities, airports, and military installations that use firefighting foams are some of the main sources of PFAS.
PFAS have not been detected in Medford’s drinking water. They were last tested for in 2013 as part of the EPA’s 3rd Unregulated Contaminants Monitoring Rule (UCMR3). In the summer of 2023, Medford Water will again be testing for PFAS compounds as part of the EPA’s 5th Unregulated Contaminants Monitoring Rule (UCMR5); the results will be published by the EPA and in Medford Water’s 2024 CCR and Water Quality Analyses report. We will continue to monitor our drinking water sources for contaminants such as PFAS and maintain our robust source water protection programs to continue to bring you a reliable, high-quality water supply at the best value.
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