CT PFAS FAQs

hand holding a flask with lab glassware in the background

What is PFAS?

Throughout the northeast and across the nation, state and local officials, health departments, and water utilities, including Aquarion, have focused their attention on a group of human-made chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS are a family of chemicals widely used since the 1950s to manufacture common consumer products, and are also used in firefighting foams. These substances have been detected in drinking waters, including public and private water supplies, bottled water, consumer products, food, and cookware. They have been linked to a variety of health risks, particularly in women who are pregnant or nursing, and in infants.

In recognition of the growing concern about PFAS, Aquarion voluntarily began a PFAS testing program in 2019 for our more than 70 public water systems in Connecticut. These results, which were obtained by a laboratory certified by the state of Connecticut for PFAS analysis, showed that PFAS levels in our water supplies were less than the original advisory limit of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) defined by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

On April 10, 2024, the US EPA released the first National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for the following 6 PFAS Compounds: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), Perfluorononoctanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS), and Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, aka GenX Chemicals). Although not required to meet the new PFAS Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) specified in the NPDWR until 2029, Aquarion has already begun working to meet these national standards.

Below are the MCL’s set by the NPWDR:

  • PFOA – 4.0 ppt
  • PFOS – 4.0 ppt
  • PFHxS – 10 ppt
  • PFNA – 10 ppt
  • HFPO-DA (commonly known as GenX Chemicals) – 10 ppt
  • PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and HFPO-DA – 1.0 Hazard Index (unitless)

* ppt – parts per trillion

CT DPH most recently issued revised guidance on June 15, 2022 with the issuance of Action Levels for four of the following PFAS compounds: Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), Perfluorononoctanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS). The levels are non-enforceable and testing by a utility continues to be voluntary.

  • PFOS – 10 ppt
  • PFNA – 12 ppt
  • PFOA – 16 ppt
  • PFHxS – 49 ppt

What has Aquarion been doing in Connecticut?

  • Aquarion started voluntary testing of its Connecticut water sources in 2019 and continues to conduct voluntary testing. All samples are analyzed by a laboratory that is certified by the state of Connecticut for PFAS analysis.
  • Aquarion's latest sampling results are available through the Water Quality Management Department. To learn more, contact Water Quality at 1‑800‑832‑2373.
  • Aquarion also shares PFAS results in its annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs). Aquarion’s latest Connecticut CCRs are now available at aquarionwater.com/wqr.
  • Aquarion has been proactively planning for possible infrastructure upgrades to reduce levels of PFAS in the water sources in which PFAS have been detected above the CT Action Levels described above. These upgrades can be quite costly. To help offset costs to customers, Aquarion has been actively seeking funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which will help mitigate the impact of these projects on water rates.
  • Aquarion also inspected land use activities around each of our water supplies (wells and reservoirs) and found no high-risk contamination sources such as industrial, commercial, and municipal activities that might release high levels of PFAS to the environment.

Aquarion will remain vigilant about this important issue, including additional testing for PFAS at some of our water sources. We will continue to share test results with our customers and state and local officials. We will also continue to work with the public health agencies and drinking water associations to ensure the protection of our drinking water supplies, and delivery of high-quality water to our customers.