“Forever Chemical” contaminants are present in Loveland water

By Chuck Gibson (Sharon Scovanner contributed to this story)

LOVELAND, OH (August 23, 2024) – Many years ago the story headline was “Is it Something in the Water”. It was a fun story pointing to the Scenic Little Miami River contributing to the success of several Loveland natives in television, film, and stage as actors, writers and producers. This story: “There’s Something in the Water” is difficult, not fun.

TOXIC “FOREVER CHEMICALS” are PRESENT IN LOVELAND’S WATER

There are PFOS (Perfluoro octane sulfonate), a type of PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl) toxic “forever chemicals” present in Loveland’s Public Water System (PWS). As defined by the U.S. EPA, PFAS are a category of chemicals in use since the 1940’s in the manufacture of products with waterproof, stain resistance and heat resistance characteristics. 

They are called “forever chemicals” because the degradation process is slow and over time they accumulate in the environment and the human body. Typically, the source of these contaminants is industrial sites, landfills, and firefighting foam. The U.S. EPA has determined exposure to PFAS contaminants is linked to significant health risks. Contaminated drinking water is considered a significant source of exposure to these toxic PFAS “forever chemicals.” Human exposure may also come from food packaging, nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, toys, artificial turf, stain resistant carpeting and furniture and other like products.

Since testing began, the Ohio EPA reports just 6% of Ohio PWS’s are contaminated with PFAS which means 94% are not. That falls in line with the U.S. EPA prediction  6-10% of ALL Public Water Systems will be found to be contaminated. The standard of measure for PFAS levels is part per trillion (ppt). Loveland’s contaminant levels are some of the highest in the area with most recent results showing finished water PFOS levels in a range of 14-24 ppt. One well has also tested at 35 ppt. raw untreated water. Those numbers exceed the drinking water standard of 4 ppt for PFAS issued by the U.S. EPA on April 10, 2024. To be clear, all public water systems have until April 2029 to bring their water treatment into compliance with the 4 ppt standard. 

On the City of Loveland website page addressing PFAS & Drinking Water, ppt is defined as “equivalent to one drop of water per trillion gallons” or one part per trillion “equal to one drop of ink in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools”. That same Loveland web page also states: “Currently, our water satisfies all current state and federal Environmental Protection Agency standards.”

SHOULD LOVELAND WATER CUSTOMERS BE CONCERNED?

Sharon Scovanner is a resident of Loveland and believes all Loveland, Symmes Township and Miami Township residents served by the Loveland Public Water System absolutely should be concerned. She and her husband Tom have lived in Loveland for over 12 years. Do they drink Loveland water? 

“Heck no, are you kidding me? No,” Scovanner responded. “I filter my water. I filter for PFAS for drinking and cooking because cooking is a problem too.”

Scovanner stopped drinking Loveland water in 2023 after a friend sent her an article from a Cincinnati digital news site. She says she knows too much. That may be true based on the amount of research she has done documenting the history of PFAS and the U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA standards for these “forever chemicals” currently detectable in the Loveland water system. Her research efforts (still ongoing) have resulted in a well-organized, couple inches thick, binder with numbered and ordered footnoted documents including communication between the city administration of Loveland and both the U.S. EPA and the Ohio EPA. This is research and documentation of standards and regulations for PFAS already in place and those announced, but not scheduled to be enforced until April 2029, required maximum contaminant levels.

The catalyst for her concern about the PFOS contaminants in Loveland’s water stems from personal tragedy. Tears well up in her eyes when she shares the story of her father’s suffering and death due to cancer traced to toxins in the Camp LeJeune water contamination case. Though it was not PFAS related, it made her more acutely aware of the dangers of water contamination. The significant health risks posed by the toxic characteristics of PFAS/PFOS contaminants currently found in Loveland water jumped out at her.

Scovanner shared her concerns, research and questions with City of Loveland officials including City Manger David Kennedy, Assistant City Manger Chris Wojnicz (Pron: Wine-itch) and met with five members of the current seven members of Loveland City Council on the matter. Mayor Kathy Bailey and councilman Andrew Bateman did not meet with her. Overall, the response from the City of Loveland has left Sharon Scovanner frustrated in her effort to inform the citizens of Loveland the water is contaminated with “forever chemicals” which pose a long-term health risk.

“I get this. This is a tough thing. This is a very difficult public relations issue,” said Scovanner. “I cannot sit idly by knowing what I know. We know there are mitigation options. As this gets out, my job is to make sure everyone understands the situation as it exists so people can make a judgement for themselves about what to do about it.” 

Her message to city officials, “tell the people” is seemingly ignored by the city. Scovanner would like to see the city issue a letter to all current Loveland water customers informing them of the new EPA water quality standards, current Loveland water quality test results and the EPA recommendation for the need to filter at home. 

WHAT DOES THE CITY OF LOVELAND SAY?

In a letter issued by the city December 23, 2023 from the office of City Manager David Kennedy: “Loveland Water Remains Safe to Drink, Compliant with Ohio EPA Standards”. You will find that (full text) and additional information and resources/statements all the way up to the most recent 181 page June 2024 Water Treatment Plant PFAS and Softening Study on the  PFAS & Drinking Water page of their website. There are also links to documents and information from the U.S. EPA.  The page notes “The City of Loveland is developing a treatment plan to address PFAS.”  

The next line is where some concern arises about how the City of Loveland characterizes the current water contamination situation. It states: “Currently, our water satisfies all current state and federal Environmental Protection Agency standards.” There is no little debate on the accuracy of that statement.

Start with the fact the city knows the most recent EPA testing results (July 27, 2023) show all three wells serving Loveland measure over the new Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4 ppt for PFAS. The city also knows the prior and current enforceable standard is 70 ppt. By that standard, the city water complies now. The U.S. EPA and the Ohio EPA (the regulatory authority for the Loveland PWS) previously announced the new 4ppt MCL standard to be enforced beginning April 2029. Assistant City Manager Chris Wojnicz is taking the lead on this issue for Loveland – described as “The Point Man” by Mayor Kathy Bailey. I met with Chris to discuss the situation and why Loveland continues to claim the water “satisfies all current state and federal EPA standards.”

“We had a 15.5 (ppt) in 2023. That’s our most recent one,” Chris stated regarding PFAS levels in Loveland’s PWS. “The quarterly ones were 14, 17, 24, 19, 14 and 35ppt … okay I know where that 35 is coming from. The only number the EPA cares about is your finished water. We got a 35 out of a well. Our finished water is actually lower than 35ppt PFAS. The only number our consumer should care about is finished water parts per trillion.”  

Those are the numbers right now. Clearly Chris knows those numbers and knows they exceed the 4ppt standard being set by the federal EPA. He says the Ohio EPA is their regulatory body and has given no direction regarding implementation and even testing procedures. At the time of our first interview on this matter, the Ohio EPA had not responded to his question of how he should respond to any customer who says: “I have drinking water that is not safe.”  

“The limit will be 4 (ppt), but our goal is zero. It’s in the water. PFOS is in our water. It’s in our source water. We have to treat for it. We’re working down that path.” – Chris Wojnicz, Assistant City Manager, Loveland, OH 

Loveland does not say the water is unsafe, but they have filed a lawsuit seeking compensation and recovery for past, present and future damages resulting from investigation, remediation, treatment, disposal and monitoring of ongoing contamination of its water resources, supply and treatment facilities. The suit filed in Clermont County court states: “even at extremely low levels PFOA and PFOS render drinking water unfit for consumption.”  

WHAT DOES OHIO EPA SAY?

In a follow up with Dina Pierce, Media Coordinator, Communications Outreach for the Ohio EPA, I posed several questions about the guidelines for Loveland (as well as the rest of Ohio PWS’s) regarding the new PFAS Maximum Contaminant Standard, what they are telling Loveland officials and their response to the question: What should Loveland tell their water customers regarding PFAS water contamination right now? Her response came about 10 days after our initial phone conversation.  

Here is the full text of her email response:

First, we want to emphasize that Loveland’s drinking water is meeting current state and federal drinking water standards.

The federal government recently announced, for the first time, a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS in drinking water. It will go into effect in 2029, giving public water systems (PWS) five years to come into compliance. Loveland, like all PWSs, is assessing its water and determining what steps need to be taken to meet the new MCL.

Ohio EPA has met with Loveland city officials to discuss what should be in a general PFAS plan and how to get funding for projects. Our agency does not determine what each PWS should do to meet the standard but is here to help approve plans and assist in securing funding.

The city is planning a study on PFAS contamination and has applied for a 0% interest loan from Ohio EPA. The study will evaluate three solutions and determine the one most cost effective, feasible, and sustainable. They will then submit the plan to Ohio EPA for approval. Ohio EPA also discussed with Loveland the information and messaging on the city’s website which is currently accurate. It shows recent sampling results and describes actions the city is taking to come into compliance with the new federal MCL by 2029.

Reducing PFAS contamination is a priority for Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio EPA. In 2020-21, at the direction of the governor, Ohio EPA sampled PWSs across the state for PFAS in drinking water. Ohio EPA and the Ohio Department of Health recently released a PFAS action plan 2.0 which outlines in detail all measures taken and in process by the state regarding PFAS.

There are some key points in the Ohio EPA response beginning with the opening statement “emphasizing” Loveland’s water meets current state and federal drinking water standards. An equally important point in the response is they have met with Loveland officials regarding PFAS planning. In follow up emails and a phone interview, Assistant City Manager Chris Wojnicz confirmed he communicated with the Ohio EPA on the subject of PFAS water contamination on July 29th after our first meeting. Other interesting and key points in the Ohio EPA response include reference to the “city planning a study on PFAS” (already completed and published on city website June 2024) as well as reference to “messaging on the city’s website is currently accurate”. Is it? 

The Ohio EPA and Ohio Department of Health recently released PFAS action plan 2.0 standards and advisories section headed: PFAS MCL Rule Development seems to directly contradict that; stating the U.S. EPA announced on April 10, 2024 the “final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, PFHxS and PFBS under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The rule established “legally enforceable levels” called MCL’s for the six PFAS mentioned. The rule was published April 26, 2024, making the rule effective on June 25, 2024.

The rule effectively requires public water systems (such as Loveland, OH) to monitor for the six PFAS, NOTIFY THE PUBLIC of the levels, and REDUCE LEVELS if they exceed the proposed MCL’s. In the phone interview with Chris Wojnicz, he raised questions about Ohio PFAS Action Plan 2.0 as an “action plan” and not a rule. It remains a point of contention, or at least confusion in this discussion. For now he firmly believes the City of Loveland water is satisfying all current state and federal EPA standards. It remains the bold print messaging on the City of Loveland website. He points out the PFAS & Drinking water section offers all the resources Loveland Public Water System customers, including those in Miami Township and Symmes Township, need to be fully informed regarding PFAS, the regulatory standards, what they’re doing, and options for customers to potentially treat and reduce PFAS levels at home. Wojnicz echoed the message of the Ohio EPA.

“We are doing everything we are supposed to be doing.” Chris Wojnicz, Assistant City Manager, Loveland, OH

Wojnicz did suggest the city may add a message for water customers to consult their physicians if they are concerned about any possible health problems arising from the current levels of PFAS contaminants in Loveland water. City Manager David Kennedy deferred to Wojnicz regarding any clarification of the messaging on the city website, but also believes they are doing all they can to provide the safest water to Loveland water customers now and in the future.

“They (EPA) are talking about a new level handed to communities. Some may choose to get out, just punt and let another take over their water system. We’re not going to give up our water system. This has been Chris’ biggest focus since he got here. We already put out an RFD for design. I think we are right in line, on pace, right where we need to be from a time standpoint. I don’t know what else we could do.” – David Kennedy, City Manager, Loveland, OH

Sharon Scovanner says there is one more thing the city can do right now.  That is: inform the customers the water is contaminated now and the EPA recommends filtering at home.

THE OHIO EPA MADE RECOMMENDATIONS TO LOVELAND

In an email to Loveland officials dated July 14, 2020, the Ohio EPA acknowledged testing of Loveland water yielded a finding of PFOS contaminants in finished (treated) water of 14.8 ppt and raw (untreated) water with a level of 16.1 ppt. In that email the Ohio EPA recommended three specific action steps:

1. Evaluate source water quality and identify source water management and treatment options 
2. Communicate results to all your customers as soon as possible.
3. Report results in the annual Consumer Confidence Report (legally required CCR)

Of those three recommendations from the Ohio EPA in 2020, Loveland has reported results in the CCR as required by law. They have not identified the source water contaminant and any immediate mitigating management and treatment options. While they have published numbers, they have not clearly communicated to customers the Loveland Water System is contaminated with “Forever Chemicals” posing potential long-term health risks.

WHAT IS LOVELAND DOING?

It has been well-documented the City of Loveland is addressing new PFAS and drinking water requirements. The website includes an PFAS & Drinking Water information and resources page with links to various information sources documenting the history of PFAS and the federal standards and guidelines. The city includes a link to the EPA’s fact sheet which defines options that may be an effective way to reduce PFAS levels in your home. Most importantly, the city has taken steps necessary to find a water treatment solution to bring the Loveland Public Water System into compliance by April 2029 as is currently required by the U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA. 

The current projected cost for a city water treatment facility to bring Loveland water into compliance is $17 million dollars. City officials are seeking all potential funding sources including federal, state and other grants to meet the cost.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Sharon Scovanner says you should filter at home. That said, her goal is for every Loveland PWS customer to know the facts about Loveland water and PFAS so YOU can make your own decision. Every Loveland water customer should consider all the facts and make their own decision. Based on the current information from the U.S. EPA and the Ohio EPA; as well as monitoring of the Loveland Public Water System, there is no level of PFAS in your water that is safe. 

Your best source for what you should do is the recommendation of the U.S. EPA. FILTER at HOME. Again, the EPA’s fact sheet offers information on a variety of filtering options at a variety of price points. Here are the three types of filters which “can be effective at reducing PFAS” and are currently available:

• Charcoal (Granular Activated Carbon or GAC): These filters use carbon to trap chemicals as water passes through them.
• Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems: Reverse osmosis is a process that forces water through an extremely thin barrier that separates chemicals from the water.
• Ion Exchange Resins: Resins are tiny beads that act like powerful magnets that attract and hold the contaminated materials from passing through the water system.

The EPA notes you should check for certification and current standards for PFAS filters (as of April 2024) do not indicate a filter will remove PFAS down to the drinking water standard levels now set by the EPA. For now, reducing PFAS levels in your drinking water is the most effective way to limit your exposure.

MORE CAN BE SAID AND WRITTEN

Much has been written already including the 2023 article that launched Sharon Scovanner into research and two articles as recently as last weekend in USA Today and a Cincinnati newspaper. The EPA continues to study the situation and the science regarding the impact of these “forever chemicals” in our water. They are working with the standard setting bodies, including the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to have filter certifications match EPA’s new requirements. Their history goes back to 1938 when Dupont first “accidentally” discovered a new chemical compound used to make Teflon. Local Cincinnati Attorney Robert Bilott filed a federal lawsuit in 1999 to hold chemical companies responsible for contaminating drinking water. In 2016 the U.S. EPA first established non-enforceable health advisories for PFOA and PFOS at 70 ppt.

Today the EPA has issued a new standard of 4 ppt enforceable in April 2029. The City of Loveland is working toward a water treatment solution with a goal of being at zero ppt in April 2029. Right now Loveland water test results reveal PFAS contaminants in the form of PFOS at levels ranging from 14-24 ppt. in finished water. Those levels are three to six times higher than the acceptable limit of 4 ppt. In their own lawsuit filing, Loveland states: “even at extremely low levels PFOA and PFOS render drinking water unfit for consumption.”  Sharon Scovanner wants everyone to know the facts and to make an informed decision about how to protect your health and the health of your family. There remain many unknowns, but current known facts strongly suggest filtering at home. You decide.

• More at: www.epa.gov
• More at: www.epa.ohio.gov
• More at: www.lovelandoh.gov