Fairfax Water wants you to know the following information:
- Fairfax Water’s primary objective is the protection of public health through the delivery of high-quality drinking water. Fairfax Water, along with water professionals across the nation, is researching the occurrence of personal care products and pharmaceutical compounds in drinking water supplies and is paying close attention to health effects research in this area. We have found there is no evidence of human health concern.
- Fairfax Water provides highly advanced treatment for the water we serve our customers. Research has shown that using the combination of ozone and granular activated carbon is very effective in removing broad categories of personal care products and pharmaceuticals. Fairfax Water uses both ozone and granular activated carbon as part of its multi-barrier water treatment approach that also includes coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection.
- To date, there are no approved methods for detecting personal care products and pharmaceuticals in drinking water. Fairfax Water has been actively working with leading researchers to develop an appropriate testing protocol for detection of very low levels for a variety of these compounds. We are currently developing a testing plan for our source and treated waters.
- As we continue to develop better methods for detection, we will be able to identify more compounds at lower levels. While these compounds may be detected at very low levels in water, people regularly consume or expose themselves to products containing these compounds in much higher concentrations through medicines, food and beverage and other sources. The level in which they are found in water is very small in comparison and does not mean the substance is harmful to humans.
- Fairfax Water, along with other water utilities regionally and nationally, is working to advance the science in the area of understanding and treating personal care product and pharmaceuticals.
- Fairfax Water, along with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission and the Washington Aqueduct, founded the Potomac Partnership to study water quality issues in the Potomac watershed.
- Fairfax Water, along with many water utilities across the nation, has contributed to and participated with the Water Research Foundation to study endocrine disruptors, personal care product and pharmaceuticals. To date, the Water Research Foundation has conducted 21 projects totaling approximately $4.9 million.
- Fairfax Water will continue to work with regional and national partners to advance the science regarding these issues.