Toxic PFAS Near Landfills Found In NC Groundwater

In North Carolina, groundwater around landfills is showing dangerously high levels of PFAS, according to recent state data. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) revealed these findings during a briefing to the Environmental Management Commission. Officials highlighted PFAS detections well above safety limits, prompting new regulatory scrutiny.

Deputy Director Adam Ulishney from the Division of Waste Management stated, “There are some high observations,” referring to PFAS levels found during statewide testing. The data spans both active and closed landfills, with alarming results reported across multiple counties.

What Are PFAS and Why Are They Problematic?

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, include chemicals like PFOA and PFOS. These are widely used in consumer products such as nonstick cookware, fast food packaging, and firefighting foam. PFAS resist breaking down, persisting in water, soil, and human bodies. Research links PFAS to health issues like liver damage, reproductive problems, and certain cancers.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a strict limit of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. However, state data shows PFAS levels in some groundwater samples at over 4,000 times that threshold.

Groundwater Near Landfills Surpasses Safe Limits

Monitoring wells at landfills throughout North Carolina reveal widespread PFAS contamination. Ulishney noted, “The vast majority of groundwater at the landfill facilities [exceeds] the 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS.” These wells don’t provide drinking water, but their results raise concerns about contamination spreading to nearby private wells.

Nine landfills so far have identified the need for private well testing. If those wells show contamination, landfill operators may be required to supply alternative drinking water and begin cleanup measures.

Private Wells at Risk in a Well-Dependent State

North Carolina ranks second in the nation for residents relying on private well water, with roughly 35% of the population depending on them. Unlike municipal systems, private wells don’t undergo routine testing or regulation.

The DEQ issued letters to 20 landfill operators, ordering updated surveys to locate nearby private wells. Maps shown during the DEQ presentation revealed clusters of private wells near potentially impacted landfills.

High PFAS Levels in Alamance, Johnston, and Wake Counties

Among the sites with the most extreme readings, the Alamance County Landfill stood out. PFOS levels there reached nearly 3,000 ppt, and PFOA exceeded 1,700 ppt. Johnston County reported PFOS concentrations at 164 ppt—over 40 times the federal limit. Wake County samples showed PFOS levels of 22 ppt, while landfills in Henderson and Pitt counties also showed elevated results.

The DEQ plans to issue a second wave of letters based on these initial findings. Groundwater testing included samples from both shallow and deep aquifers. Though many newer landfills include protective liners, officials warn that liners do not eliminate the risk. Leachate from older, unlined sites continues to pose a threat.

The Path Forward for Regulation and Cleanup

State regulators are preparing further action based on the emerging data. Landfills found to impact surrounding water sources may face requirements to provide clean drinking water and mitigate pollution. More monitoring and expanded surveys of private wells are expected.

The urgency reflects a growing understanding of PFAS risks and their persistent nature. As new results come in, public health agencies and residents remain on alert for contamination that may already have spread.

How Water Treatment Systems Can Help

In areas impacted by PFAS, reverse osmosis (RO) filtration systems can effectively remove these chemicals from drinking water. RO systems push water through a semipermeable membrane, blocking PFAS particles. This technology suits households with private wells that may face contamination.

Whole-home water conditioners, while useful for removing minerals and improving water feel, do not remove PFAS on their own. However, combining them with reverse osmosis units provides broad protection—conditioning water throughout the home while ensuring safe drinking water at the tap.

Source: WRAL News