Author: Savannah Sinor, Abigail Carpenter
The Hometown Strong Team has created a short, four-part blog series to shed some light on the growing issue of PFAS. In this third edition, we'll explore how filtration can help remove PFAS from public and private water and provide resources for learning more about filtration systems.
Filtration
The state prioritizes the filtration and testing of public water systems. Common filtering systems are carbon filtration systems, such as reverse osmosis filters or granular activated carbon, and ion exchange resin treatment systems. While these are highly effective, they are expensive for an individual household and rural communities.
The NC Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health has compiled a fact sheet that details possible testing sites residents can use and different filtration options organized by effectiveness and price.
Public Water Systems
DEQ has been working with public water systems to prepare for the regulation and assess PFAS levels in drinking water systems across the state. DEQ is also utilizing federal funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help address PFAS contamination, including funding designated specifically for small, rural, and underserved communities.
Private Wells
DEQ launched a pilot program under the Bernard Allen Emergency Drinking Water Fund to support North Carolina residents with PFAS contamination in their private water wells. Funding for treatment systems will be provided to eligible residents with PFAS contamination that equals or exceeds health advisory levels, on a scale based on household income. The program is meant to address PFAS contamination when there is no designated responsible party that provides alternate drinking water. The Bernard Allen program supports DEQ’s well sampling across the state and applications for the pilot treatment program will be provided to residents who meet the program criteria, as long as funding is available.
NCDEQ PFAS Treatment System Assistance Program
For more information, see the NCDEQ Understanding PFAS page.
Environmental Factor - March 2019: PFAS — a problem in North Carolina drinking water (nih.gov)