Augusta Takes Wells Offline as PFAS Contamination Exceeds EPA Standards by More Than 10 Times

Augusta-Richmond County discovered PFAS chemicals in water sources at concentrations surpassing federal thresholds by over tenfold. The peak measurement reached 12.8 times what EPA standards allow. Officials shut the affected wells and submitted applications for $25 million in grants to tackle this problem.

EPA tests revealed PFOS at concentrations averaging 10.9 times federal limits across four sites. Seven chemicals turned up in total. Federal rules set yearly averages for PFOA and PFOS at 4 parts per trillion.

"Four parts per trillion is an incredibly, minutely small number," said Wes Byne, director of utilities for the city, to The Augusta Chronicle. "It's like one gallon of water going by in the Savannah River in the last 1,000 years."

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, dubbed PFAS or "forever chemicals," are manufactured compounds created since the 1940s. Studies link some of these substances to damaging health outcomes in humans and animals.

Michael Murray, an assistant professor at Augusta University, explained that PFAS consist of organic fluorinated chemicals resisting degradation. Thousands of PFAS chemicals lack federal standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Byne mentioned earlier assessments detected minimal contamination in groundwater but none in treated water. EPA priorities center on chronic toxicity from lifelong consumption rather than immediate harm.

The county obtained $3.7 million through the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority for initial treatment work. A $25 million construction phase will install systems removing these contaminants.