FAQs • Montgomery County, OH • CivicEngage

What are Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)?: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in many industrial applications and consumer products such as carpeting, waterproof clothing, upholstery, food paper wrappings, personal care products, fire-fighting foams, and metal plating. They have been used in a variety of industries around the globe and have been used in the United States since the 1940s. They are still used today.

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Water Quality

1. Where does my water come from?: Montgomery County Environmental Services receives its drinking water from the City of Dayton Water Department. The source of Dayton's drinking water is the Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer, which is a groundwater aquifer under the influence of surface water.

2. Why are we doing this testing?: As new scientific information on contaminants arises, and improved methods of testing are developed, the list of components we test for to ensure the highest quality of water increases. In the most recent list of contaminants from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that are being tested for, there is a group called Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Testing from the City of Dayton has shown some of these chemicals are present in the source water.

3. What are Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)?: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in many industrial applications and consumer products such as carpeting, waterproof clothing, upholstery, food paper wrappings, personal care products, fire-fighting foams, and metal plating. They have been used in a variety of industries around the globe and have been used in the United States since the 1940s. They are still used today.

4. How does PFAS get into drinking water?: PFAS can enter drinking water at sites where they are made, used, disposed of, or spilled. PFAS can be found in the air near manufacturing facilities and can enter rainwater. PFAS are very mobile and can be transported through rainwater run-off and enter surface water (lakes, ponds, etc.) or seep through the soil and migrate into ground water (underground sources of drinking water). Because PFAS are very long-lasting and are not easily broken down by sunlight or other natural processes, they may remain in the environment for many years.

5. Is my water safe to drink?: We purchase our water from The City of Dayton, which regularly reports its sampling data. Find more information on the Dayton, Ohio website.

6. What is Montgomery County doing about this issue?: Montgomery County is learning more about the new landscape surrounding PFAS and working with the City of Dayton moving forward.

7. Can I boil my water to reduce the level of PFAS?: Do not boil your water in an attempt to remove/reduce PFAS. Boiling only increases the concentration of PFAS in water.

8. Can I use a water filter or purifier to alleviate the issue? (EPA): We recommend contacting the EPA at 1-800-426-4791 for more information about this topic.

9. What are the known health risks? (EPA: We recommend contacting the EPA at 1-800-426-4791 or going to the EPA website for more information about the EPA Health Advisory for PFAS.

10. I have a private well, who do I contact for information on sampling?: Contact Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County at 937-225-5700.