Environmental Industry Updates
The Latest News on Scientific and Regulatory Updates from Merit Laboratories
Nearly one in every eight community water systems in Illinois were found to have PFAS detections in drinking water. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the completion of an 18-month statewide sample collection study of PFAS in drinking water. The study collected drinking water from over 1,000 community water systems (CWS). According to the Illinois EPA, 126 of the 1,107 CWSs sampled had confirmed PFAS detections.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has filed administrated rules to create the first groundwater quality standards for PFAS chemicals in the state. According to the IEPA in a recent announcement, it has submitted amendments to 35 Illinois Administrative Code (Ill. Admin. Code) Part 620 to the Illinois Pollution Control Board (Board).
The number of PFAS-contaminated sites in Illinois continues to grow. Combined with detectable concentrations of PFAS in drinking water far above the federal screening level, state regulatory professionals and legislators are facing the reality that Illinois has a significant PFAS problem. The toxic compounds have been detected in water systems and groundwater throughout the state, including sites in Bloomington, Chicago, Galesburg, Peoria and the Quad Cities area. PFAS has also been detected in the groundwater at Scott Air Force Base, Chanute Air Force Base, Naval Station Great Lakes, and the Rock Island Arsenal.
