The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a public health notice after contaminents were found in dozens of water systems in the state.
Widespread Detection Triggers Statewide Notification Requirement
According to an Illinois EPA press release, 21 Community Water Systems (CWS) across the state were recently detected to have contamination levels exceeding new groundwater quality standards.
One or more types of per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) were found during water sampling in the CWSs, along with an additional 26 connected satellite water systems, which are included in the public health notice.
In total, the affected systems supply water to over 430,000 Illinois residents, including Winnebago, Cook, and DuPage, among others.
Understanding PFAS and the Health Risks
PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in consumer and industrial products since the 1940s for their resistance to water, oil, and heat…