The State Board of Health recently revised the WAC 246-290 Group A Drinking Water Rules to require water systems to monitor for select per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds using specific analytical methods. The new rule establishes state action levels (SALs) for five PFAS compounds.
For general information on PFAS, visit the DOH PFAS Contaminant webpage.
- PFAS FAQ 331-681 Spanish (PDF)
- PFAS FAQ 331-681 Russian (PDF)
- PFAS FAQ 331-681 Tagalog (PDF)
- PFAS FAQ 331-681 Ukrainian (PDF)
- PFAS FAQ 331-681 Vietnamese (PDF)
State Monitoring Requirements for PFAS
Group-A Community and non-transient non-community (NTNC) water systems are required to monitor for PFAS beginning January 2023 through December 2025. Each water system's Water Quality Monitoring Schedule lists the PFAS monitoring requirement starting in 2023. PFAS Monitoring and Follow Up Actions 331-668 outlines the monitoring requirements in the revised rule.
Systems must collect samples at the entry point to the distribution system and have them analyzed by EPA Method 537.1 or 533 by a lab accredited for these analytes in Washington State.
Transient non-community (TNCs) systems may be required to monitor if their source of supply is near a known PFAS contaminated site. ODW will notify affected TNCs when more information is known.
Free PFAS Analysis Offered
DOH has a free-PFAS sample program for Community and NTNC systems that will continue through early in 2022. Results count toward the state-required monitoring that would otherwise be scheduled in 2023-2025.
For water systems not currently signed up to participate in this sampling program, you can still sign up by submitting you information via our online form at Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water PFAS Free Sampling Enrollment Form.
Systems with detections must collect follow-up samples and comply with the rule requirements.
Funding is limited and we may prioritize systems based on risk if volunteers exceed available funding.
State Action Levels
The SALs represent the maximum level in tap water that DOH considers to be without health concern for long-term consumption in daily drinking water, including by sensitive groups.
| Specific PFAS Contaminant | State Action Level (parts per trillion) |
|---|---|
| PFOA | 10 |
| PFOS | 15 |
| PFNA | 9 |
| PFHxS | 65 |
| PFBS | 345 |
Exceeding a State Action Level (SAL) for PFAS
Systems with a PFAS sample result that exceeds a SAL should collect a confirmation sample. If the average results of the initial and confirmation samples exceed the SAL, or if the system doesn't collect a confirmation sample, the system must notify its customers of the SAL exceedance event. Use the public notification templates below.
Public Notice PFAS Detection 331-683 (Word)
- Public Notice PFAS Detection 331-683 Russian (Word)
- Public Notice PFAS Detection 331-683 Spanish (Word)
- Public Notice PFAS Detection 331-683 Tagalog (Word)
- Public Notice PFAS Detection 331-683 Ukrainian (Word)
- Public Notice PFAS Detection 331-683 Vietnamese (Word)
More Resources
- PFAS Funding for Testing Drinking Water in Washington State 331-695 (PDF)
- PFAS State Action Levels 334-473 (PDF)
- PFAS Timeline 334-488 (PDF)
- PFAS Exposure Routes Poster 825-037 (PDF)
- PFAS in Drinking Water: Safety Questions About Gardening, Livestock, and Pets (PDF, Department of Agriculture)
Regional Office Contacts for Monitoring Requirements
Eastern Region, Anna Duron, 509-329-2145
Northwest Region, Vacant, nwro.chemicalmonitoring@doh.wa.gov, 253-395-6750
Southwest Region, Sophia Petro, 564-669-0856
Funding for PFAS Mitigation
The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law make additional funding available in grants and loans to public water systems for PFAS treatment, new source, or another preferred option for mitigating PFAS contamination. If interested, email dwsrf@doh.wa.gov.