Your tap water may be tainted with harmful man-made chemicals that take decades to break down.
In Texas, 47 water systems have unacceptable levels of so-called “forever chemicals,” according to tests results released this year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Of those, 15 are local to North Texas. They include big cities like Dallas, Irving, Arlington and Fort Worth and smaller towns like Prosper, Seagoville, Grapevine and Flower Mound.
How bad are the chemicals? No one can say for certain, but scientists warn they can be damaging to our health, especially with heart disease, cancer, immune disorders, diabetes and fertility issues.
One estimate I saw says water represents only 20% of our intake, meaning the other 80% comes from other sources.
The chemicals are found in products that are water or are flame repellant. They are in food packaging, non-stick cookware, carpet cleaners, dental floss, outdoor clothing, medical devices, drinking straws, pizza boxes, paints, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, artificial turf, stain-resistant products and cosmetics. It’s in our homes and, likely, even in our bloodstream.
For months, The Watchdog has followed this, but until now I didn’t realize how pervasive the problem is. Fifteen of 47 Texas water systems (known so far) represent a major environmental dilemma. That list doesn’t include many area water utilities which haven’t been tested yet.
To combat this, in April the EPA released new testing and safety regulations that will go into effect in five years. That gives water systems time to clean up. But that’s an extraordinarily difficult task, especially when you consider there are more than 12,000 man-made chemical compounds, and the testing is only looking for six specific chemicals.
The American Water Works Association estimates that it will cost $40 billion to install treatment for these so-called PFAS chemicals in water systems, plus another $3 billion a year to keep up.
Who pays? Look in the mirror.
Caused by a spill
This is a case where humanity was a bit too smart for itself. The chemicals were first invented by a DuPont chemist, Roy J. Plunkett, in the 1930s. He is credited with inventing Teflon.
3M became the chief maker of PFAS compounds after a chemist accidentally spilled one version of the chemical on his sneakers. It left a coating that repelled oil and water. According to legend, that’s how Scotchgard was born.
Cities develop strategies
Fort Worth hired a consultant to conduct a treatability study. Fort Worth sells water to other area cities, which are not on the list of high numbers found in tests because they haven’t yet been tested. By the end of next year, most systems will be tested.
“We know we have a problem meeting the new regulations when they come into effect, so we are working to get treatment in place to do that,” Fort Worth water department spokeswoman Mary Gugliuzza says.
In Dallas, water officials say they are incorporating PFAS testing into the system and investigating possible PFAS sources to block exposure.
On its website, Dallas Water Utilities promises this: “DWU will continue to comply with all current regulations that apply to its drinking water and will comply with all future regulations as well.”
How to avoid PFAS
Can you avoid these chemicals? Most water filters will not work. Neither will bottled water, necessarily. It all depends on the source.
Experts recommend filters that are charcoal-activated. But they are not infallible.
These chemicals are not only found in water and consumer products, but also air, soil and food.
Learn about products that contain PFAS such as Teflon, Scotchgard and GORE-TEX.
Consider stainless steel or cast-iron pots and pans.
Pay attention to developments in treatment solutions at your municipal water provider. Check when they are tested and learn if the results are above or below “MCLs” – maximum containment levels.
Ask questions.
Are PFAS chemicals in your water?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a listing of nearly 50 Texas water systems that previously tested with higher levels of harmful chemicals.
The list below contains the names, as listed exactly on the EPA’s website, of affected water systems in North Texas.
The EPA points out that these test numbers are not in real-time. Some systems might have tested once for high levels, but they may not have those same high levels at this time.
- Prosper
- Dallas Water Utilities
- Duncanville
- Seagoville
- Cockrell Hill
- Farmers Branch
- Irving
- Flower Mound
- Greenville
- Terrell
- Weatherford
- Arlington
- Fort Worth
- Haltom City
- Lake Worth
Become a citizen of Watchdog Nation.
Join Dave Lieber and learn to be a super-consumer.
Watchdog newsletter: Sign up for The Watchdog’s FREE weekly newsletter to keep up: click here.
Subscribe: PLEASE support The Watchdog’s brand of straightforward journalism designed to save you time, money and aggravation. Treat yourself to a digital subscription (and make him look good!) by visiting https://dallasnews.com/subscribe
Watchdog Home Page: You can’t afford to miss The Watchdog’s two reports each week. Follow our latest reporting always at The Watchdog home page which features all recent columns.
Watch this free training video from Dave: https://youtu.be/uhUEUCNKGjc
Facebook: Connect with The Watchdog on our Facebook group. Search for “DallasNews Watchdog Posse.”
The Dallas Morning News Watchdog column is the 2019 winner of the top prize for column writing from the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. The contest judge called his winning entries “models of suspenseful storytelling and public service.”
Read his winning columns:
* Helping a waitress who was harmed by an unscrupulous used car dealer