U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule–UCMR 5

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in accordance to the Safe Dinking Water Act (SDWA) requires that every five years public water systems to sample and monitor for a number of unregulated contaminants.  The fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) was published on December 27, 2021. UCMR 5 requires sample collection for 30 chemical contaminants between 2023 and 2025. The data collected under UCMR 5 improves understanding of the prevalence and amount of 29 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and lithium in the nation’s drinking water systems.  Monitoring for cehmicals like in this period will help the EPA develop and make determinations for future regulations or treatment to protect public health by using science-based decision making.

 WHAT ARE PFAS?

PFAS are a category of chemicals that can cause serious health problems if you are exposed to them over a long period of time, or at certain critical life stages like pregnancy and early childhood.  Some of the most harmful PFAS have been largely phased out due to health and environmental concerns.  But there are thousands of PFAS, and they are still found in use.  PFAS tend to break down extremely slowly in the environment and can build up in people, animals, and the environment over time. 

HOW MUCH OF MY EXPOSURE TO PFAS IS THROUGH DRINKING WATER?

PFAS in drinking water can be a significant portion a person’s total PFAS exposure in places where there is PFAS drinking water contamination.  Exactly how much of a person’s exposure comes from drinking water depends on a range of variables, including the levels of PFAS present in their drinking water, as well as other environmental factors like proximity to industrial sites that may release PFAS into the air or soil.  The types of products people use in their daily lives that may contain PFAS, include nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, and certain water- or sweat-resistant cosmetics.  Some people may also have higher levels of exposure through their work, like fire-fighters who may use fire-fighting foam that contains PFAS. All of these factors make it difficult to determine exactly how much of a person’s exposure comes through any single source.  People can be exposed to many different PFAS at the same time, which can magnify these health risks. Reducing your exposure to PFAS lowers your risk for these health problems. 

SHOULD I USE A FILTER TO REDUCE LEVELS OF PFAS IN MY WATER?

The more you reduce your exposure to PFAS, the more you reduce your risk. Many water pitcher filters and other home-based water filters are able to reduce the levels of PFAS in drinking water. If you decide to use a filter, look for ones that are certified to reduce PFAS.  Be aware that current filters on the market will not yet be certified to reduce PFAS to the new EPA standard, but the added filtration they provide can help reduce your exposure.  For more information regarding filters :

https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/water-filter-fact-sheet.pdf

 As the Village of Lombard receives finished water from Lake Michigan treated at the Jardine Water Purification Plant in Chicago via the DuPage Water Commission, UCMR 5 water sampling was completed and no detectable unregulated contaminants were found in the water supplied and tested to the Village of Lombard residents.