Dayton, Ohio – The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) has certified the City of Dayton Department of Water for PFAS testing, making Dayton the first municipal or commercial laboratory in Ohio to receive this certification. This significant achievement comes well before the updated federal PFAS regulations take effect in 2027.
“I am proud of our team for this accomplishment,” said Department of Water Director Mike Powell. “Our excellent water professionals have once again shown that Dayton’s water utility is a true industry leader. This continues Dayton’s long legacy of proactive protection of our water resources and responsiveness to changing regulatory requirements.”
Benefits of PFAS Testing Certification for Dayton
The certification allows Dayton’s water laboratory to process PFAS samples more efficiently, enabling the Department to make necessary operational adjustments swiftly. By conducting testing in-house, Dayton will also save significant resources, as the average cost of testing one PFAS sample ranges from $600 to $800. In 2023, the Dayton laboratory analyzed over 400 samples, and it is on track to analyze a similar number in 2024, with numbers likely increasing once a new treatment facility is completed.
Additionally, Dayton’s certification allows the city to test samples from outside sources, creating opportunities to generate revenue that can support the Department’s initiatives. This advantage is particularly significant given the current shortage of analytical capacity across the country, positioning Dayton ahead of other water systems.
Dayton’s laboratory passed the on-site portion of the certification process in early August, followed by quality control data submission to the OEPA. Once the data was reviewed and accepted, Dayton was officially certified to lower the PFAS detection level from 5.0 parts per trillion (ppt) to 2.0 ppt for all regulated PFAS samples.
Understanding PFAS and Dayton’s Efforts to Mitigate Contamination
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of manmade chemicals found in everyday items such as textiles, paper products, and cookware. They have also been used in firefighting foams, especially in industries like aerospace and aviation, as well as at military bases across the country. Due to growing health concerns, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a reduced maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS in 2023.
Dayton’s Department of Water shares its PFAS testing results monthly with the Ohio EPA and continually collaborates with both the U.S. and Ohio EPA to address PFAS contamination. One of the city’s primary goals is to prevent PFAS-contaminated groundwater from reaching monitoring and production wells, ensuring that water quality remains high.
The City of Dayton operates more than 500 groundwater monitoring wells strategically placed around water production wells and wellfields. These monitoring wells are essential in identifying groundwater contaminants before they reach the production wells. This system allows for early detection and rapid response, protecting the city’s water supply.
Furthermore, Dayton’s water distribution system undergoes daily testing at various locations throughout the city. Water treatment plant employees continuously monitor several water quality parameters, with values validated every two hours by plant personnel to ensure safety and compliance.
Setting a Standard for Water Safety in Ohio
Dayton’s achievement as the first certified PFAS testing laboratory in Ohio sets a new standard for water safety and environmental stewardship in the state. By staying ahead of regulatory changes and investing in advanced testing capabilities, Dayton continues to demonstrate its commitment to protecting its water resources and the health of its residents.
As Dayton leads the way in PFAS testing and contamination prevention, the city serves as a model for other communities striving to enhance their water safety measures in response to evolving environmental challenges.
