By Shereen Siewert

A formal drinking water advisory that recommends residents reduce exposure to PFAS by limiting their consumption of Wausau’s drinking water is now online, though no official press release or statement accompanied the posting.

The drinking water advisory, found here and embedded below, notes that Wausau is not in direct violation of any current state or federal standards.

In June 2019 the Wisconsin Department of Health Services made groundwater standard recommendations to the DNR which included a standard of 20 parts per trillion for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, DNR Field Operations Director Kyle Burton told Wausau Pilot & Review. The most recent testing of all municipal drinking water supply wells for PFAS showed the chemicals at levels ranging from 23 to 48 parts per trillion (ppt). All Wausau wells were above the future recommended level.

After hearing testimony from municipal leaders throughout the state, the Natural Resources Board last month failed to approve the recommended standards to limit the amount of PFAS pollution, instead choosing a years-old limit of 70 ppt, a number that is widely expected to be overturned within months.

Surrounding states including Minnesota and Michigan have long ago passed state limits on PFAS in drinking water that align with the expected federal standard of 20 ppt, which will likely be released this fall.

The advisory suggests residents “consider alternative water sources” such as:

  • Purified or filtered bottled water
  • Other sources of water that have been tested for PFAS and do not have levels above recommended standards
  • Filtered water using a certified filter technology

A granular activated carbon (GAC) filter that meets ANSI/NSF Standard 53 or a reverse osmosis(RO) filter with an included GAC component can filter out PFAS, health officials say. These numbers will be printed on the filter and/or packaging.

Boiling water does not remove PFAS.

Wausau Public Works Director Eric Lindman did not return an email sent Friday requesting comment and clarification on the advisory.

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