PFAS are a large group of man-made chemicals that present public health and environmental issues in communities across the United States. PFAS have been used worldwide in consumer products and in some industrial applications to make products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water. PFAS chemicals are widespread in the environment because of their longevity, unlimited uses and resistance to breakdown. PFAS can accumulate in people, wildlife and fish.  

If you have a private well that is used for drinking water, you can apply to have your well tested for PFAS free of charge.  

• Individual Private Well PFAS Assessment Application
• Solicitud de Evaluación de PFAS en un Pozo Privado Individual

On April 10, the EPA announced a final rule for maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in drinking water for five individual PFAS compounds — PFOS and PFOA at 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt), and PFNA, PFHxS, and GenX at 10 ppt — as well as a Hazard Index formula for a mixture of four PFAS compounds: PFHxS, PFBS, PFNA, and GenX. This final rule is the next step in establishing enforceable drinking water standards for certain PFAS contaminants in the United States. Drinking water utilities have three years to begin monitoring for these PFAS and another two years to provide treatment to reduce concentrations below MCL levels, if needed.

The EPA has stated that drinking water can be the most direct way that people are exposed to PFAS. However, drinking water is only responsible for about 20% of most people’s overall exposure to PFAS compounds. The other 80% of exposure to PFAS comes primarily from consumer products such as clothing, food, cosmetics, food packaging, cookware, furniture, and electronics. The EPA’s final rule for PFAS in drinking water does not address these other exposures to PFAS chemicals. However, other efforts are underway nationally to reduce exposure from these sources.  

Our number one goal is to have all of South Carolina’s water systems operate in compliance with all federal and state drinking water standards that help protect people’s health, including this newest standard related to PFAS compounds,” said Myra Reece, Director of SCDES, “We understand how important it is for system operators, especially small and rural ones, to have the resources and assistance they need to meet and maintain compliance, which is why we will continue to work with state and local officials about this new federal rule.”  

SCDES is committed to keeping South Carolinians informed about the latest PFAS information, efforts and actions. We will continue to work with state and local officials and water providers; post our latest data and findings, share information on social media; and provide informational resources to communities at the local level.  

Additional Resources

SCDES PFAS Media Briefings

PFAS from Federal Agencies

How EPA Regulates Drinking Water Contaminants

Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC)