Emerging Contaminants

As technology continues to evolve and improve, laboratories are able to identify and detect new compounds that were previously unknown. When found in the drinking water supply, these new chemicals are known as “emerging contaminants."

Emerging contaminants create a challenge for drinking water providers because they are unregulated and little is known about their potential risks to human health and the environment.

Emerging Contaminants Testing

Note: PFAS testing results can be found at this link.

1,4-dioxane

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: “1,4-dioxane is currently used as a solvent in a variety of commercial and industrial applications such as in the manufacture of other chemicals, a processing aid, functional fluid, a laboratory chemical, in adhesives and sealants, in spray polyurethane foam, in printing inks, and as a dry film lubricant. 1,4-dioxane may be found as a contaminant in consumer products such as soaps and detergents.”

See this FAQ to find out more about 1,4-dioxane, including the technology CFPUA uses to treat it. 

This graph displays results of CFPUA's regular 1,4-dioxane monitoring at the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant. Click the three horizontal lines in the upper-right of the graph to show export options for data currently displayed or to download data. You can zoom in on a specific date range by clicking and dragging within the graph to highlight the desired range.

PFAS

Click here to learn about CFPUA's response to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), including Granular Activated Carbon filter enhancements at our Sweeney Water Treatment Plant.