CFPUA Integrates Nafion Byproducts 1 and 2 into Pilot Test

As part of our efforts to monitor unregulated compounds in the Cape Fear River, we have asked the commercial labs testing samples for the pilot test to screen for a range of other per-fluorinated compounds in addition to GenX.

Recently, the labs notified us of their ability to estimate levels of Nafion Byproducts 1 and 2 using the test results of GenX. Levels of the compound must be estimated due to the lack of testing standards.

The preliminary reports from this month show the compounds can be detected in the partially treated water entering the pilot test at Sweeney Water Treatment Plant. The data from those reports can be seen below.

Researchers from the Environmental Protection Agency notified CFPUA of the existence of the byproducts in August 2017. In response, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) asked Chemours to stop all discharge of the compounds to the Cape Fear River. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has not set a health advisory level for the compounds due to the lack of available health data on them.

We have integrated the compounds into our pilot test, and preliminary results show that the compounds were not detected post-treatment. We will continue to release the results of the pilot test as we receive them.

Most Recent GenX Results from the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant

Below are the latest results from our on-going GenX testing at the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant. Levels of GenX continue to remain below the DHHS health goal of 140 parts per trillion (ppt).