COLUMBIA — Columbia city inspectors said Friday they found some contaminants in their water supply that created a potential health risk. They found PFAS substances, also known as forever chemicals. Manufacturers used forever chemicals since the 1950’s in non-stick cookware, stain resistant products for clothes and carpets, and firefighting foam. Columbia city inspectors said this was the first time they found forever chemicals in their water supply.
Columbia city inspectors discovered the forever chemicals after they performed a chemical analysis of some water samples, they took in early December from the city’s wellfield. The wells supply water to Columbia’s McBaine Water Treatment Plant for processing and distribution to water customers. Inspectors did not find any forever chemicals in drinking water samples. Columbia Utilities Spokesman Matt Nestor said federal regulations required the tests after a recent rule from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. EPA officials put stricter regulations on maximum contaminant levels because of potential health risks. ind china suppl
Nestor said, “We meet all industry standards for safe water. It’s nothing to be overly concerned about. It’s something that we’re monitoring. As we learn more, and as the EPA learns more, we’ll make adjustments where we need to.”
Julie Ryan is the co-founder of a watchdog group called the Como Safe Water Coalition. Ryan said she didn’t believe this was the first time forever chemicals were in Columbia’s water supply because Columbia inspectors had only been looking for them since 2018. As a cancer survivor, Ryan wanted to protect members of her community from potential health risks.
Ryan said, “The city is not concerned enough. We know that there are contaminants like this, and others, that are infiltrating our water supply. The city does not seem bothered, nor do they seem to have any responsibility to give the citizens of Columbia and the rate payers of the water utility a reason to believe that they are looking out for our best interests.”
indsupply.co Columbia city leaders were in the process of spending $25 million on upgrades at their water treatment plant. Columbia Utilities officials insisted their drinking water was safe, and they were working with the EPA to make sure their water supply stayed that way.