The Hidden Threats in Your Tap: How 2024’s Emerging Contaminants Are Revolutionizing Water Safety Standards

Water quality concerns have reached a critical juncture in 2024, as scientists and regulators grapple with a new generation of contaminants that pose unprecedented challenges to public health. In April 2024, the EPA issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful PFAS, marking a watershed moment in water treatment history. These emerging contaminants—including PFOA, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics—are fundamentally changing how we approach water safety and treatment standards.

PFOA: The “Forever Chemical” Crisis

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), known as the most detected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in various environmental compartments, have been associated with plastic pollution and endocrine dysfunction. The scope of this contamination is staggering—the final rule will reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses.

What makes PFOA particularly concerning is its persistence in the environment. PFAS features numerous carbon-fluorine bonds, endowing with thermochemical stability and remarkable resistance to degradation. Despite global efforts to phase out PFAS under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Chemicals, they endure in the environment as “forever chemicals”.

The health implications are severe. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to adverse health impacts that include some cancers, liver and heart disease, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children. EPA established legally enforceable levels, called Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), for six PFAS in drinking water: PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA as contaminants with individual MCLs, and PFAS mixtures containing at least two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS using a Hazard Index MCL.

Pharmaceuticals: The Invisible Contamination

Pharmaceuticals and microplastics are persistent emerging contaminants that pose significant risks to aquatic ecosystems and ecological health. The pharmaceutical contamination pathway is complex and widespread. Many pharmaceuticals enter water systems due to improper disposal. Expanding drug take-back initiatives, like those in the United States (DEA National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day), can significantly reduce household pharmaceutical waste.

Compared to conventional pollutants such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrogen, and phosphorus in sewage, the concentration of these new pollutants is very low (ng/L). However, their persistence and difficulty in degrading results in a long-term cumulative impact on human health and ecosystem security.

The challenge for water treatment facilities is significant. Qu et al. demonstrated negative removal rates of PFOA and PFOS in a conventional drinking water treatment plant, ranging from −10% to −2% and −14% to 8.2%, respectively, highlighting the inadequacy of traditional treatment methods for these emerging contaminants.

Microplastics: The Microscopic Menace

Microplastics (MPs) (1 μm–5 mm) and nanoplastics (NPs) (<1 μm) are noticeable in diverse forms, spreading throughout the environment. California has taken the lead in addressing this issue, with California began enforcing standards on the levels of MPs in drinking water in 2018, requiring a formal definition of MPs and a standardized testing methodology for measuring contamination levels.

The European Union is also taking action. The recast Drinking Water Directive will further protect human health thanks to updated water quality standards, tackling pollutants of concern, such as endocrine disruptors and microplastics, and leading to even cleaner water from the tap for all. Additionally, systematic monitoring of microplastics and PFAS (often referred to as forever chemicals) is now required, as well as monitoring of public health parameters.

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) emerge as major contributors to the generation of MP and NP. Lacking dedicated removal mechanisms, these MPs persist through the wastewater treatment process, ultimately entering natural water bodies and the soil environment.

Advanced Treatment Technologies

Advanced treatment technologies, such as membrane filtration and oxidation processes, for mitigating these risks and highlights gaps in sustainability and efficiency are being developed to address these emerging contaminants. Treatment technologies for novel pollutants such as microplastics, pharmaceutical residues, and endocrine disruptors, including physical (e.g., sand filtration, adsorption, membrane separation), chemical (e.g., flocculation, advanced oxidation, photocatalysis), and biological approaches are being refined and implemented.

The technology addressing microplastics in treatment is still in the early stages of research and development, requiring further exploration for practical and scalable solutions. This includes ongoing research efforts, the development of effective and economical treatment technologies, raising public awareness, and the formulation of robust policies.

The Role of Professional Water Treatment Services

For homeowners facing these emerging contamination challenges, professional Water Treatment services have become more critical than ever. Companies like Aqua Otter, based in Indianapolis and serving Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and North Carolina, are adapting their approaches to address these new threats.

From tackling hard water buildup to reducing harmful contaminants like PFAS, our cutting-edge water treatment systems are designed to enhance your quality of life. With a commitment to excellence, we provide state-of-the-art, salt-free water conditioners and whole house filtration systems that are made in the USA and built to last. Backed by certifications like ISO-9001 and the Water Quality Association, our products offer unmatched reliability.

What sets professional services apart is their comprehensive approach. At Aqua Otter Water Systems, we’re more than just a water treatment company—we’re a family owned and operated team of water experts committed to giving you and your loved ones the cleanest, purest water possible. With free in-home water testing and no-obligation consultations, we take the time to explain what’s in your water, what it means for your home, and how our systems can help. And when we recommend solutions, they’re always based on proven science, your specific water concerns, and a genuine desire to help you make the best choice for your family.

Looking Forward: The Future of Water Safety

In February 2023, EPA announced the availability of $2 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to address emerging contaminants, including PFAS, in drinking water across the country. EPA concurrently announced a further $1 billion to help states and territories implement PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems.

The monitoring requirements are becoming more stringent. Public water systems must monitor for these PFAS and have three years to complete initial monitoring (by 2027), followed by ongoing compliance monitoring. Water systems must also provide the public with information on the levels of these PFAS in their drinking water beginning in 2027.

As we move through 2024 and beyond, the landscape of water treatment continues to evolve rapidly. The World Health Organization (WHO) and national agencies should collaborate on setting maximum allowable concentrations for pharmaceuticals, similar to existing standards for heavy metals. The challenge ahead requires both technological innovation and regulatory vigilance to ensure safe drinking water for all.

The emergence of PFOA, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics as major water quality concerns represents a paradigm shift in how we approach water safety. For consumers, this means working with knowledgeable professionals who understand these complex challenges and can provide targeted solutions. The investment in proper water treatment today is an investment in long-term health and peace of mind for families across the nation.