EmergingContaminants

WATER QUALITY QUESTIONSANSWERED

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Emerging contaminantsEmerging Contaminants are substances that have been identified and detected but whose health risks are still unknown or not fully known. Health risks vary with exposure level, and research may exist only for high-level exposure but not long-term, low-level exposure.

Detection methods for emerging contaminants and other substances continue to improve. Substances that were not detected a few years ago may be measurable now because of improvements in lab methods and instrumentation.

Emerging contaminants are not regulated usually because there is not enough science or data yet to determine the limit which will protect human health.

MicroplasticsMicroplastics (MP) are an emerging contaminant. There is no standard definition or method for measuring MPs, but generally they are considered particles which are less than five millimeters (5 mm) in size. Microplastics are the result of human activity and are not naturally occurring. MPs could be manufactured small, like beads and glitter, or a fragment of a larger plastic, and have been detected all over Earth. Microplastics pose a threat to aquatic life because they are not degradable or digestible and because they can harbor pollutants and pathogens. Wastewater plants are a source of aquatic microplastics, primarily from laundry of synthetic textiles and personal care products.

In 2019, BJWSA and USCB conducted a research project on microplastics. USCB student researchers developed a method for measuring water and wastewater samples for MPs. They collected and analyzed samples from the Port Royal Water Reclamation Facility, the St. Helena Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the Purrysburg Water Treatment. The USCB investigators found the predominant MP in wastewater effluent to be fibers from synthetic textiles. They also found films from plastic bags and wrappers. The USCB measurements found significant removal of microplastics through the treatment processes, mostly in the clarification and sedimentation stages.

Figure 1- fiber microplastic. Picture credit: Justin Davies, USCB.

Figure 2 - film microplastic. Picture credit: Justin Davies, USCB.

Figure 3- Microplastic removal at Port Royal WRF. Credit: Justin Davies, USCB.

Figure 4 - Port Royal WRF

There are no regulations for microplastics for water or wastewater on the horizon. Before there can be

any regulations, there must be a standard definition of microplastics, a standard method for analysis,

and science on health effects.

Per- and Poly- fluorinated substances (PFAS)

Per and poly-fluorinated substances (PFAS) are chemicals widely used in a variety consumer products to

resist stains, water, or heat: non-stick coatings, waterproof garments, stain resistant carpet and

upholstery, and firefighting foams. PFAS enter the water cycle in large quantities through legacy

contamination of wells or rivers from chemical plants where PFAS are or were manufactured or military

facilities that used firefighting foam.

Figure 5 - these common consumer products contain PF compounds.

https://www.awwa.org/Portals/0/AWWA/ETS/Resources/HowPFASCycleThroughtheEnvironmentV2.jpg

?ver=2019-11-14-104702-713

PFAS chemicals are measured in nanograms per liter (ng/L) or parts per trillion. As detection methods

have improved, the minimum reporting level has decreased. Presently there are no regulations for PFAS

in drinking water. US EPA has set a Lifetime Health Advisory for PFOS & PFOA at 70 ng/L individually or

combined, but there is no Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) yet for drinking water, which would

require BJWSA to measure and remove PFAS.

In 2013, the Chelsea Water Treatment Plant was tested for PFAS as part of the Unregulated

Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 3rd round (UCMR3). The UCMR3 testing in 2013 showed no PFAS at the

Chelsea Water Treatment Plant. (Note: ND = Not Detected. MRL = Minimum reporting level)

2013 Chelsea

WTP

compound Units Result MRL

PFOS ng/L ND 40

PFBS ng/L ND 90

PFHxS ng/L ND 30

PFHpA ng/L ND 10

PFNA ng/L ND 20

PFOA ng/L ND 20

In 2017, BJWSA tested the Savannah River (our source), the Purrysburg Water Treatment Plant, and the

Chelsea Water Treatment Plant. By 2017, the methods had improved since UCMR3 (from ~40 ng/L to 2

ng/L), and with the lower detection levels, PFAS was measured.

2017 Savannah

River

Chelsea

WTP

Purrysburg

WTP

compound Units MRL Result Result Result

PFOS ng/L 2.0 4.4 4.5 4.7

PFBS ng/L 2.0 3.1 3.4 3.0

PFHxS ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

PFHpA ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

PFNA ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

PFOA ng/L 2.0 4.4 4.2 4.3

PFDA ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

PFHxA ng/L 2.0 2.8 3.1 2.7

PFDoA ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

PFTA ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

PFTrDA ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

PFUnA ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

GenX ng/L 5 < 5 < 5.0 < 5.0

MRL = minimum reporting level

ng/L = nanograms per liter or parts per trillion

BJWSA tested for PFAS again in 2019 and found similar levels as in 2017.

2019 Savannah

River

Chelsea

WTP

Purrysburg

WTP

PF compound Units MRL Result Result Result

PFOA ng/L 2.0 3.9 3.8 3.9

PFOS ng/L 2.0 2.8 2.9 2.5

PFBS ng/L 2.0 3.0 3.0 3.6

PFHpA ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

PFHxS ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

PFNA ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

PFDA ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

PFHxA ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 2.2

PFDoA ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

PFTrDA ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

PFUnA ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

GenX ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

ADONA ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

F-53B Major ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

F-53B Minor ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

PFTeDA ng/L 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0

MRL = minimum reporting level

ng/L = nanograms per liter or parts per trillion

All results so far, individually for PFOS and PFOA, and in total, remain well below the EPA Lifetime Health

Advisory of 70 ng/L. If SCDHEC or EPA sets a lower limit, we will evaluate our treatment capabilities and

make appropriate changes to comply with the limit. We plan to test for PFAS again in 2021.

Learn more about PFAS at https://www.scdhec.gov/BOW/perfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas