Scientists report in Environmental Science and Technology Letters (2016, Vol. 3, 344-350) that the location of industrial sites, military training facilities and wastewater treatment plants are predictors of poly- and perfluoroakyl substance (PFAs) contaminants in drinking water.

The scientists used data collected as part of the USEPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) to evaluate the presence and concentration of PFAs.

Findings

They found that both the presence and concentration of PFAs in drinking water correlated to the location of an industrial site, military training facility or wastewater treatment plant on the watershed.

In conclusion, they identified that water supplies for over 6 million people exceed the USEPA advisory of 70 parts per trillion (ng/L).

Figure 1, below, shows the distribution of PFAs in their study.

The number affected is considered conservative because the UCMR3 requires sampling of water supplies that serve 10,000 people or more and excludes people who might be exposed from smaller water systems and rural water wells.