Update on PFAS
Regulations
July 10, 2024
• PFAS refers to a group of Per- and
Polyfluoroalkyl substances that resist liquid and
heat
• Commonly found in manmade materials
• EPA monitoring and regulating PFAS
• Multi-faceted and complex issue
• No immediate impact to water quality or
wastewater operations
What is PFAS?
Water Service Area
City Water Service Area
Crestview
Mutual
Cal-American Water
Pleasant Valley
Mutual Water
Camrosa
Water
District
Where City Drinking Water Comes From
• The City’s groundwater Desalter treatment
facility
• City water wells
• Imported water from the State Water Project
(through Calleguas Municipal Water District)
• Water quality governed by State through EPA requirements • EPA recently released new water quality requirement for 6 different PFAS • Testing ongoing as part of UCMR-5 EPA program
• Annual Water Quality Report (CCR)
• No PFAS detected in drinking water yet, testing ongoing Drinking Water PFAS Regulations
• Camarillo Sanitary District (CSD) treats approx.
3.5 million gallons of wastewater daily at the
Water Reclamation Plant (WRP)
• The WRP produces high quality recycled water -
90% reused for irrigation and agriculture
• Biosolids byproduct hauled off-site and reused by
others
Wastewater Treatment
• No regulations (yet) for PFAS limits in biosolids or recycled water • Regulations for biosolids anticipated to be based on “tiers” of PFAS found • CSD tested for PFAS and found trace amounts in biosolids and recycled water • No immediate concerns, and no actions were required
• Considering PFAS as part of the WRP Upgrades project
Wastewater PFAS Regulations
• EPA manages program called: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), aka “Superfund” • This year, EPA added PFAS as a hazardous substance under CERCLA • Concern of liability for wastewater treatment plants because sewer flows contain PFAS
• CERCLA applicability for wastewater treatment indicates it would not apply to CSD at this time
EPA’s “Superfund”
• City continues to provide high quality drinking water that meets regulations • No immediate concern related to PFAS, but staff continues to monitor • Additionally, staff is considering the impact of potential future PFAS regulations in operations and future projects
PFAS Recap