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Are PFAS chemicals contaminating irrigation water? Two state agencies are taking a look.

By David Mullen November 18, 2020 | updated 5 years ago

Officials from two Colorado state agencies are assessing new data to determine how much polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) could be contaminating irrigation water in parts of the state. 

PFAS are commonly found in chemicals that originate from firefighting foam and other various sources, according to a press release.

The Colorado School of Mines recently modeled a study that indicates that eating lettuce that is watered by irrigation water contaminated by PFAS could put people at risk for harmful health impacts. The study was conducted via simulation and not on measurements from Colorado irrigation systems, but pushed the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Colorado Department of Agriculture to further examine the situation.

“Colorado is fortunate to benefit from the expertise of our public health and environment scientists, research of academic institutions, and the leadership of our state’s agricultural producers,” said Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg in the release. “At the Department of Agriculture, our Agricultural Water Quality Program has worked for decades to support sound and safe irrigation practices that protect farmers, consumers, and our environment, and this work remains a priority.”

The chemicals referenced by the study are found primarily in firefighting foam used for high-heat fires, chemical products, consumer products and other sources that breach water supplies.

Despite these chemicals being prevalent throughout the environment, consuming these toxins at a high levels can be potentially dangerous.

“These chemicals are present throughout our environment,” said Kristy Richardson, state toxicologist, CDPHE in the release.

“Colorado is committed to using the best available science to continually refine our recommendations. A key priority is to reduce exposure to these chemicals wherever they occur.”

Local health departments have come together with the state to sample residential private wells in areas where the toxins are found at a substantial level in the ground water. 

“Only a handful of wells had very high levels of the chemicals, and the owners have been advised to treat or not use this water. The state also found one farm using water with high levels of these chemicals, and they have since changed their operations,” the release read. 

According to CDPHE’s website there are nine locations throughout the state that have PFAS chemicals within the ground water. Some of those sites include Boulder Mountain Fire Protection District, Buckley Air Force, Fort Carson, Suncor and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. 

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David Mullen

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