KALISPELL — The City of Kalispell has issued a Consumer Drinking Water notice following the discovery of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) in water well sites.
Health effects from PFAS exposure can include cancer, immune effects, developmental issues, and reproductive effects.
PFAS — manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s — were found in two of the 11 drinking source water well sites.
The largest amount detected in the wells was 6.6 parts per trillion.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's EPA’s health advisory warns levels should be below 0.02 parts per trillion.
The water from the two wells does mix with other sources before reaching your tap, so the concentration may be less in your home.
City officials say taking the affected wells offline is not an option as the remaining wells would not be able to keep up with the water demands.
For people concerned about the effects of PFAS, it's recommended to get a water filter for drinking water that specifies it reduces PFAs.
The City of Kalispell is retesting the wells and is examining available options to address the PFAs in the drinking water.
Visit the City of Kalispell’s website at https://www.kalispell.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=327 to view the full consumer drinking water notice.
Additional information about PFAs from the EPA can be found at https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-10/final-virtual-pfas-explainer-508.pdf.
The City of Kalispell provided the following information.
What is Kalispell Doing?
- Follow up sampling is being conducted at Kalispell PWS well sites. Additional sampling will be performed in March and August of 2024. The data obtained from the additional sampling will contribute to validating the accuracy and reliability of the PFAS detection from the source water.
- Kalispell is examining available options to address PFAS in the drinking water supply and will keep you informed.
- Drinking water systems can reduce concentrations of PFAS through the blending of water sources. In Kalispell’s case we are already blending the water from the detected well sources with the City’s other PFAS free well sources.
- Kalispell is looking into funding sources through the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to replace the wells if that becomes necessary.
- Kalispell has created a website [kalispell.com] to provide the public with information and resources. https://www.kalispell.com/850/Consumer-Drinking-Water-Notice [kalispell.com]
- As the city gathers more information and evaluates options, information will be released to the public. Sign up to the City of Kalispell’s Notify Me [kalispell.com] system to sign up for public service announcements and press releases.
- An open house will be scheduled soon so questions can be asked in person. Stay tuned for more details.
The below information was taken from the EPA website.
What can you do?
- Learn more about PFA’s – information and links are provided below.
- If you are concerned about levels of PFAS in your drinking water, contact your doctor or health care professional.
- Consider actions that may reduce your exposure including installing a home or point of use filter, if possible, while steps are being taken to further understand levels of concern.
- Boiling, freezing, or letting water stand does not reduce PFAS levels.
- Review EPA’s Meaningful and Achievable Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Risk [epa.gov].
- After reviewing the information and links provided, if you have additional questions, please contact the City of Kalispell’s Utility Management Superintendent Joe Schrader at 406-758-7989, or jschrader@kalispell.com, or Public Works Director Susie Turner at 406-758-7852, or sturner@kalispell.com.
What are PFAs and what are the risks?
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been in use since the 1940s. PFAS are (or have been) found in a wide variety of consumer products and as an ingredient in firefighting foam. PFAS manufacturing and processing facilities, airports, and military installations are some of the contributors of PFAS releases into the air, soil, and water. Because of their widespread use, most people have been exposed to PFAS and there is evidence that exposure to certain PFAS may lead to adverse health effects.
Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS | US EPA
- PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time.
- Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world and are present at low levels in a variety of food products and in the environment.
- PFAS are found in water, air, fish, and soil at locations across the nation and the globe.
- There are thousands of PFAS chemicals, and they are found in many different consumer, commercial, and industrial products. This makes it challenging to study and assess the potential human health and environmental risks.
For information on PFOS, PFOA, PFBS, GenX chemicals and other PFAS, including possible health outcomes, you may visit these websites:
- PFAS | Montana DEQ
- Basic information, EPA actions to address PFAS, and links to informational resources: www.epa.gov/pfas [epa.gov]
- Health information, exposure, and links to additional resources for PFAS in drinking water: www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/drinking-water-health-advisories-pfoa-and-pfos
