PFAS Information

As a public water utility, the City of Brighton is committed to delivering reliable, high-quality drinking water that meets all state and federal regulations. On April 10, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) passed a final drinking water rule, or standard, for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Specifically, the maximum contaminant level, or MCL, for two specific PFAS compounds, PFOA and PFOS, was set at 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt). The MCL for PFNA, PFHxS and “GenX Chemicals” is set at 10 ppt. This new standard for PFAS impacts thousands of water utilities and private wells across the United States, including Brighton. Brighton has been proactive in PFAS monitoring and, as such, is in a limited group of Colorado utilities that has both tested and confirmed PFAS levels above the standard. The water sample results received on 9/03/2020 showed that certain PFAS chemicals, PFOA, PFOS, GenX, or PFBS, are present in the drinking water. The City is taking proactive measures to address these chemicals with the construction of the new water treatment plant, which will put Brighton in compliance with regulations significantly ahead of the standard’s implementation date.

What are PFAS?

PFAS, or per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of man-made chemicals not found naturally in the environment, and exposure to these chemicals have been linked in scientific studies to adverse health impacts. PFAS refers to a group of chemical compounds that are used in a wide variety of products, such as some carpets, cookware, food packaging, and clothing because they are resistant to heat, water and oil. They are also found in foams used to fight certain kinds of fires. Once these chemicals make their way into the environment, many do not break down and they are very difficult to remove, including from public water supplies.

You can learn more about PFAS on the  EPA's website.

Why are PFAS a concern?

PFAS are called “emerging contaminants,” referring to one of several chemicals or groups of chemicals that have been discovered over the last several years to be present in a growing number of public water supply systems across the US. PFAS may enter water supplies from landfills, applications of firefighting foam (e.g. at airports, fire training facilities, petroleum fires, etc.), and industrial sites.  The City’s water supply comes primarily from groundwater that can be impacted by these sources. 

Studies indicate that long-term exposure to certain PFAS over specific levels may lead to adverse health effects including:

Increased cholesterol levels
Decreased vaccine response in children
Changes in liver enzymes
Increased risk of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia in pregnant women
Small decreases in infant birth weights
Increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer

For more information see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) facts on PFAS. 

The scientific understanding and regulatory response to these compounds is rapidly evolving. Technological advances allow us to now detect concentrations in the parts-per-trillion (ppt) range (for some sense of scale, 1 ppt is the equivalent of a single drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools).

Have PFAS been detected in the City's water?

Knowing that PFAS have been detected in water systems throughout the country and elsewhere in Colorado, the City of Brighton voluntarily participated in testing its water supply in 2020 and 2021 and low levels of PFAS have been detected in the city’s wells. As the new EPA standard contains a compliance and implementation schedule, the city is not in any violation of a drinking water regulation, and is proactively working to address this for the future.

What actions should I consider? What does this mean?

This is a concern the City is addressing, not a crisis. You do not need to stop drinking your tap water. 
The lower your exposure, the lower your risk. People who are concerned can:
- Reduce exposure from drinking water by using water treated by an in-home water treatment filter that is certified to lower the levels of PFAS or by using bottled water that has been treated with reverse osmosis for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. Use tap water for bathing, showering, brushing teeth, washing hands, watering yards, washing dishes, cleaning, and laundry.
- If you’d like to request a free filter pitcher that reduces PFAS exposure, please contact the Utilities Department at 720-925-9486.
- Reduce exposure from other sources. Visit the CDPHE PFAS website to learn more.
Boiling, freezing, or letting water stand does not reduce PFAS levels.
If you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor. The CDPHE’s information sheet, “Talking to Your Health Care Provider about PFAS,” is available to support your conversation.

What is the City of Brighton doing to address the situation?

With the passing of the new drinking water standard related to PFAS, we are working to address this problem in coordination with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and US EPA. The new US EPA rule on PFAS and other chemicals requires public drinking water systems to complete initial monitoring for the targeted chemicals within three years. The rule further requires systems to implement strategies to reduce the chemicals to the MCL.

The City of Brighton is significantly ahead of the timeline stipulated in the rule having completed initial monitoring and testing several years ago. The City’s new water treatment plant will feature granular activated carbon filters that will reduce PFAS and other targeted chemical concentrations below the MCL. The plant construction broke ground on July 26, 2022, and is currently on schedule for the contracted completion date of February 1, 2027. This completion date places the City in compliance with the standard far in advance of the 2029 compliance date for chemical concentration reduction.

It is important to note that the City of Brighton also purchases drinking water from other public water utilities to supplement our own sources. The entities that the City purchases water from will have the same compliance requirements as Brighton. The city will continue to work with our drinking water partners to ensure compliance as soon as possible.

Additional PFAS information can be found at the CDPHE’s website. For more information, please contact Scott Olsen at 303-655-2000 or solsen@brightonco.gov. If you have questions about this information, you can also contact CO HELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911.

The City is offering Brighton utility customers free water filter pitchers that reduces the risk of PFAS until all sources, both our own and purchased sources, can reduce PFAS as required. (Note: Filter availability may be limited based on supply and demand). To receive a filter, please email waterquality@brightonco.gov, or call 720-925-9486. 

Consumer Drinking Water Notice

Consumer Drinking Water Notice
Aviso de agua potable para el consumidor