News Flash

The City of Loveland continues to monitor the development of regulations for Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and is continuing to develop a treatment plan to address PFAS. All the while, the City of Loveland continues to produce water that remains safe for consumption and satisfies all current state and federal Environmental Protection Agency standards.

The city provides water service through a groundwater aquifer to City of Loveland residents, as well as limited parts of Symmes Township and Miami Township. 

PFAS are a category of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. PFAS are found in numerous consumer products like nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, cleaning products, shampoo, and makeup to name a few examples. During the manufacturing discharge process of some of these items, PFAS can enter water resources.

PFAS levels are measured on a part per trillion (ppt) ratio, which is equivalent to one drop of water per trillion gallons. For comparison, one part per trillion is equal to one drop of ink in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools. 

In March 2023, USEPA announced the proposed creation of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR). On April 10, 2024, USEPA finalized the NPDWR as follows:

The table below identifies the most recent testing (July 27, 2023) of the City of Loveland’s source water:

* Well Source – Wells 1, 2 & 3 were previous sources and have been decommissioned. The city refers to its current operating wells as 4, 5 & 6. 
 ** ND – Non Detect, ppt

In anticipation of USEPA’s announcement in March 2023 of its intent to establish standards for the presence of PFAS in drinking water, city staff met with an engineering firm that specializes in public water systems to get ahead of the issue. From that meeting, a proposal was evaluated, and a contract was secured to evaluate the city’s water treatment facility and make recommendations for how the facility may need to be modified to treat PFAS levels at the new NPDWR levels. City Council authorized the study at its meeting held Nov. 28, 2023, and the study is progressing. The city continues to explore all possibilities for funding this important project, including participating in a national class action lawsuit with other public water systems for recovery costs.

USEPA has defined a timeline for the implementation of this new rule, which is as follows:

• Within 3 years of rule establishment (2024-2027):
  1. Initial monitoring must be complete.
• Starting 3 years following rule establishment (2027-2029):
  1. Results of initial monitoring must be in Consumer Confidence Reports (i.e. Annual Water Quality Reports).
  2. Regular monitoring for compliance must begin, and results of compliance monitoring must be included in Consumer Confidence Reports.
  3. Public notification for monitoring and testing violations must begin.
• Starting 5 years following rule establishment (Beginning in 2029):
  1. Comply with all Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL).
  2. Public notification for MCL violations must begin.

Thus, beginning in 2029, the City of Loveland will be responsible for meeting all MCLs implemented by USEPA. 

To all City of Loveland water customers, it is important to emphasize these points:

• The City of Loveland’s water remains safe for consumption.
• The City of Loveland’s water system meets all current federal EPA water quality requirements. National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) Maximum Contaminant Level compliance is not required until 2029. A study on how to modify our water treatment facility to comply with the federal regulation is underway.
• The City of Loveland’s water system meets all current Ohio EPA water quality requirements. Ohio EPA has not set a maximum contaminant level for PFAS. In the coming months, it will choose to adopt or modify the proposed federal requirements. 
• City water testing results are shared annually through the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). You may access reports at htps://www.lovelandoh.gov/164/Water.

The city prides itself in providing its residents and businesses with quality services including safe drinking water, and we will take all steps necessary to continue doing so. If you have questions, please contact City Hall at (513) 683-0150 or info@lovelandoh.gov.