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WPES PFOS Notice

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

PFOA and PFOS MCL Exceedance at West Patent Elementary School

4th Quarter 2024

 

Why are you receiving this notice/information?

You are receiving this notice because testing of our public water system found the chemicals perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in your drinking water at PFOA 27.0 ppt and PFOS 50.9 ppt. This is above New York State’s maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 ppt for PFOA and PFOS in public drinking water systems. Consuming drinking water with PFOA and PFOS at or somewhat above the MCL does not pose a significant short term health risk. Your water continues to be acceptable for all uses. West Patent Elementary is working on a strict timetable to reduce levels below the MCL.

What are the health effects of PFOA and PFOS?

The available information on the health effects associated with PFOA and PFOS, like many chemicals, comes mostly from studies of high-level exposure in animals. Less is known about the chances of health effects occurring from lower levels of exposure, such as those that might occur in drinking water. As a result, finding lower levels of chemicals in drinking water prompts water suppliers and regulators to take precautions that include notifying consumers and steps to reduce exposure.

PFOA and PFOS has caused a wide range of health effects when studied in animals that were exposed to high levels. The most consistent findings in animals were effects on the liver and immune system and impaired fetal growth and development. PFOA and PFOS also causes cancer in laboratory animals exposed to high levels over their lifetimes. Additional studies of exposures of PFOA and PFOS in people provide evidence that some of the health effects seen in animals may also occur in humans.

What is New York State doing about PFOA and PFOS in public drinking water?

The New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) has adopted a drinking water regulation that requires all public water systems to test for PFOA and PFOS If found above the MCL of 10 ppt, the water supplier must take steps to lower the level to meet the standard. Exceedances of the MCL signal that steps should be taken by the water system to reduce contaminant levels.  

What is being done to meet the MCL?

West Patent Elementary School is working with the Westchester County Health Department on a compliance schedule that includes steps to reduce levels of PFOA and PFOS.

West Patent Elementary School is currently on Bottled Water Notice and the public water system is not being used for consumption. Bedford Central School District has retained a design professional and submitted a plan for mitigation of PFOS and PFOA to Westchester County Health Department (WCHD).

Bedford Central School District’s engineering firm has designed a mitigation plan to reduce the PFOS and PFOA levels. The scope of the project includes the installation of granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration systems. The plan has been approved by the Westchester County Department of Health. Bedford Central School District approved the resolution to begin construction on 06/14/2024. The contractor is in the process of submittals and procurement. Construction is already in progress.

Additional information will be shared as the construction continues to progress. This process is similar for any chemical detected in public drinking water that requires mitigation due to exceedance of an MCL. The compliance timetable will ensure that your drinking water will meet the MCL as rapidly as possible.

Where can I get more information?

For more information, please contact Dennis Rankin at 914-241-6015. You can also contact the Westchester County Health Department at 914-813-5000.

If you have additional questions about these contaminants and your health, talk to your health care provider who is most familiar with your health history and can provide advice and assistance about understanding how drinking water may affect your personal health.

General information about New York State public drinking water is also available at www.health.ny.gov/publicwater.

Public Water System ID# NY-5907720
Date Distribution upon approval