A suite of chemicals known collectively as per-and polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS) have been found in public drinking water supplies across the country. Various classes of PFAS are used in the manufacturing of products such as carpet and fabric protectants, non-stick cookware, surgical gowns, electronic devices, fire-fighting foams, ski wax, cosmetics, and cell phones.
The Sudbury Water District has been following the topic of PFAS ever since the US EPA identified PFAS compounds among a list of unregulated compounds of emerging concern in 2013. Soon after that, the District sampled the water system for PFAS, and the results showed concentrations well below any proposed concentration limits at that time.