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For many homeowners throughout Wisconsin, removing PFAS / PFOS from water is a significant priority. If you’re one of them, Aquarius Water Conditioning can help. We proudly carry Kinetico water filtration products to remove these and many other contaminants from your drinking water. These products are the gold standard in the industry and will relieve any concerns you may have regarding the quality of the water that you and the other members of your household use daily.
What Are PFAS / PFOS?
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are man-made chemicals that were once used in a wide variety of everyday items, such as carpeting, clothing, cardboard, non-stick cooking tools, and many, many others. They were also used in firefighting foams. Manufacturers stopped making them in the first part of the 21st century, but they’re still found in rubber, leather, and several other imported products.
These substances are known as “forever chemicals” because they can last for thousands of years in the environment. Humans can retain PFAS / PFOS for the rest of their lives when exposed.
It’s too early to tell just how much of a health risk PFAS / PFOS pose. Even though these chemicals were first used in the 1940s, research has only recently begun. However, according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), extended exposure could result in reproduction difficulties, development and growth challenges in children, and even potential liver damage.
Where Are PFAS / PFOS in Wisconsin?
Unfortunately, like many areas of the United States, PFAS / PFOS can be found throughout Wisconsin. With data as recent as June 8, 2022, the PFAS Contamination in the U.S. Map gives levels of PFAS / PFOS in your area. These are just a few Wisconsin cities where they’ve been detected, according to an article in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Marinette and Peshtigo
These were the first two Wisconsin towns where PFAS contamination was found. The source is believed to be due to firefighting foam testing conducted by Ansul Company, a part of Johnson Controls. Ansul Company is now known as Tyco Fire Products. According to the newspaper, the testing was performed between 1962-2017, with foam washed into the soil and the Marinette sewage system.
The U.S. standard for PFOA / PFOS is 70 ppt (parts per trillion). The Marinette samples showed PFOA concentrations over 400 ppt and PFAS concentrations in an astounding 5,000 ppt. The state of Wisconsin recommends concentrations no larger than 20 ppt.
Foam from the testing site also caused contamination of several wells in Peshtigo.
Other Wisconsin towns affected by contamination include the following:
- Rhinelander –PFOA / PFOS contamination led to two wells being shut down in the vicinity of the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport.
- Eau Claire – This city shut down some water wells in 2021 due to PFAS contamination. Eventually, half of the city’s 16 wells were shut down by the end of the year. Contamination levels ranged from 21-70 ppt.
- Wausau – All of the city’s six wells were contaminated, with amounts ranging from 23-48 ppt.
- Madison – The Dane County Airport and the Air National Guard were required to perform yearly tests of systems that emitted firefighting foam. The PFOA / PFOS in the foam eventually contaminated Starkweather Creek, Lake Kegonsa, Lake Monona, Lake Waubesa, and part of the Yahara River.
Free Water Analysis
Aquarius will come to your home and test your water for a variety of issues such as contaminants, hardness, minerals, chlorine, sediment and more. For Free. No obligation. Learn what is in your home’s water today.
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We Have the Solution
Aquarius Water Conditioning can install a Kinetico system that can remove PFOA / PFOS and a host of other potentially dangerous substances. Learn more about removing these chemicals from water by contacting us online or calling 888-741-9025.
