DEP confirms algae; Mast, SFWMD say Army Corps should stop discharges

Stuart will spend $2 million for new system to remove contaminants from city water

Melissa E. Holsman
Treasure Coast Newspapers
City of Stuart Water Treatment Facility

STUART —  The city is borrowing $2 million to make its drinking water safer than state and federal regulations require, according to officials.

The loan, approved at Monday’s City Commission meeting, will cover the cost to install a  perfluorinated chemical treatment system at the city's Water Treatment Facility.

The system, to be in use by July, would boost the removal of certain chemicals from the water supply. Two years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency detected high levels of those chemicals in drinking-water wells, now closed.

City of Stuart Water Treatment Facility

Public Works Director Dave Peters said the low-interest state loan was the most cost-effective way to pay for the system.

Water tested in 2015 showed high levels of dangerous PFOS and PFOA, chemicals once used to make nonstick pans, fire-extinguishing foam and water- and stain-resistant fabrics, said city spokesman Ben Hogarth.

In 2016, the city closed and replaced three of its 24 wells that were contaminating the water supply. Records show they were along 10th Street east of Palm Beach Road.

The suspected contamination source was firefighting foam used during training that seeped into the ground and affected the water, Hogarth said.

Related: Stuart replaced wells after EPA found too much PFOS and PFOA in water

Since 2016, the city’s water PFC contamination has remained below federal guidelines of 70 parts per trillion,  Hogarth said. The new treatment system would remove even more PFC contaminants, ahead of any future federal or state mandate to do so.

"The number tends to fluctuate," he said, "and I believe averages around 40 (parts per trillion)." 

The goal, he said, is to get as close as possible to zero contamination, or “at least below the limits for our current science."

Firefighting foam

The water, which is pumped to 19,000 customers, tested positive for PFOS and PFOA in 2014 and 2015, the first years the EPA tested for them.

For years, it was common for firefighters nationwide, including in Stuart, to train using extinguishing foam that contained PFCs.  The EPA classified it a contaminant in 2015.

“You can imagine how many municipalities and counties that have this issue somewhere,” Hogarth said. “Ours were unfortunately right where some of our wells happened to be.”

Stuart's iconic water tower is seen Sept. 22, 2013.

The foam used today is a different formula and doesn’t pose the same risk. But to be safe, Hogarth said, city personnel no longer train with it.

It's only used in life-threatening situations, such as burning jet fuel, or industrial or car fires.

“It’s the only product out there that does the job,” Hogarth said.

Legal fight

In October, the city filed a federal lawsuit against several manufacturers of the foam previously used by fire personnel. 

"These various companies ... manufactured the products knowingly with the contaminant in them," Hogarth said. "They knew it was a contaminant and they knew it was harmful and they also knew they could manufacture it without the use of it.” 

The city is seeking money damages arising from the groundwater contamination and to supply wells, including the $2 million PFC treatment system and related costs.

More: Stuart considers hiring law firms to sue over contaminated drinking-water wells.

The suit, one of dozens like it nationwide, was initially sent to federal court in New York before being transferred to a judge in South Carolina.  

“Everything will be consolidated into one series of complaints that will be heard there,” Hogarth said.

PFOS and PFOA

PFOS

Stands for perfluorooctane sulfonate

Was used to make fire-suppressing foam and aviation hydraulic fluid until 2002

PFOA

Stands for perfluorootanoic acid

Was used to make nonstick cookware and stain- and water-resistant fabrics until about 2006

Dangers: Heightened exposure can cause cancer, liver damage, low birth weight and a weakened immune system.

Note: Imported goods, especially from China, still could contain the chemicals.

Maximum safe levels until 2016

PFOS: 200 parts per trillion

PFOA: 400 parts per trillion

Current maximum safe level: 70 parts per trillion for either chemical or a combination

1 part per trillion: Comparable to 1 square inch in 250 square miles

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, city of Stuart