Protecting public health and the quality of your drinking water is the top priority of KC Water. Accordingly, we are
tracking the rapidly evolving science and regulatory requirements related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS),
and to evaluate potential impacts on Kansas City’s water.
Following is information regarding PFAS. KC Water will update this information and our actions as warranted. Links to
additional information from key regulatory agencies and industry sources are posted at the bottom of the page.
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PFAS (including various specific PFAS such as PFOA, PFOS, Gen X, etc) are a group of more than 6,000
man-made chemicals that have been manufactured and used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s.
Among the hundreds of home consumer products that may include these chemicals are nonstick cookware;
water-repellent clothing; stain-resistant fabrics and carpets; cosmetics; products that resist grease,
water, and oil; food packaging; plastic coating, and dental floss.PFAS contain chains of carbon and fluorine
atoms linked together. These manmade carbon–fluorine bonds are strong, which is why they are useful for
various applications. PFAS can travel into the soil, water, and air, so scientists detect PFAS chemicals in
rivers, lakes, and groundwater worldwide.
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Like many compounds in our economy, the EPA has determined there is evidence that continued exposure above
specific levels to certain PFAS and other compounds listed on this page may cause adverse health effects
under specific conditions. The science around these chemicals is evolving. Scientists are hard at work
understanding the chemicals, their possible risks to human health, and how to mitigate those risks. Some
studies have linked two types of PFAS compounds — PFOS and PFOA – to negative effects on the immune and
cardiovascular systems as well as decreased birth weight and cancer. Other types of PFAS are still being
studied for their possible effects on human health, if any.
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The EPA issued new final rules in April 2024 to regulate five PFAS that may be found
in water. They are PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and GenX Chemicals. EPA will regulate four PFAS contaminants as
a mixture: PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS. This new rule is aimed at ensuring that drinking water across the
United States is safe from PFAS contamination. Public water systems must monitor for these PFAS, begin
reporting levels by 2027, and reduce any excess PFAS to below the levels set by EPA’s regulation by 2029.
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Yes. KC Water began proactively and voluntarily testing for PFAS in 2022 to better
understand whether such compounds were present in the city’s water supply and in the treated drinking water
delivered to customers. All tests conducted to date by KC Water have been below EPA standards at the time
the water was tested. KC Water is already planning to ensure it fully complies with EPA’s new regulations.
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- KC Water continuously monitors current and proposed federal and state rules and regulations. KC
Water collaborates with peer utilities nationwide through national associations, many of which
employ both scientific and regulatory compliance experts to stay abreast of current developments and
pending regulations.
- KC Water will continue to test for appropriate PFAS in Kansas City waters, including:
- water drawn from the Missouri River
- water delivered to customers
- wastewater discharged to streams and rivers after treatment.
- As understanding of the impact of these compounds evolves, KC Water will continue to follow the latest scientific research results to anticipate steps needed to ensure the integrity of the City’s water supply.
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Treatment options to reduce levels of these chemical compounds in water are still under development. Technologies shown to be effective in removing PFAS from drinking water include granular activated carbon, high-pressure membranes (reverse osmosis/nanofiltration), and ion exchange resin. If PFAS is found above EPA’s regulatory levels, KC Water will adopt the most effective and efficient treatment technologies necessary to meet the regulatory standards.
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- Approximately 80-90 percent of human exposure to PFAS chemicals comes from consumer goods, food
consumption, and not drinking water. Anyone concerned about exposure to PFAS should check household
product ingredient labels and avoid products with compounds that have “perfluoro” or “polyfluoro” in
the name.
- Since PFAS from industrial and consumer products may be detected in water supplies, people who may
be more vulnerable to constituents in drinking water than the general population should seek advice
from a health care provider. Included are people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, organ
transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly and
infants, or anyone considered immunocompromised. For specific questions, call the EPA’s Safe
Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.
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