PFAS Testing and Complying with New EPA Rules 

At the Santa Cruz Water Department, we are committed to providing you with safe, clean, and reliable drinking water that meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards. Our Water Quality Laboratory conducts regular testing of regulated and unregulated drinking water constituents to confirm that we continue to meet these standards and so that we can be adaptable to changing conditions and regulations.

Per-and polyfluroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of human-made substances that do not occur naturally in the environment and are manufactured for their non-stick, heat-resistant, water and oil resistant properties. PFAS are everywhere and have been used extensively in consumer products such as carpets, clothing, fabrics for furniture, paper packaging for food, and cookware to make products waterproof, stain-resistant, or non-stick. They degrade extremely slowly and remain persistent in the environment.

You’ve probably seen a lot of news about PFAS or “forever chemicals.” That’s because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced new regulations for PFAS in drinking water, marking a significant step in addressing concerns about these potentially harmful chemicals.

We’ve been testing for PFAS in our drinking water for several years now and are pleased to share that we’re in compliance with the EPA’s new rules. We are confident in our ability to continue meeting the EPA’s new rules for PFAS and all other drinking water standards set by the state and federal governments.

If you have questions about your water quality, you can email the Water Quality Laboratory at WaterQuality@santacruzca.gov.

For more information about the EPA’s new rules for PFAS, visit the EPA’s website.