PFAS Sampling

Water System Representative:

Community and Non-Transient, Non-Community Water Systems are required to conduct initial monitoring for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as mandated under the EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141, Subpart Z). All Surface water entry points and ground water entry points for systems serving 10,000 persons or more are required to sample four times, 2-4 months apart, while groundwater entry points for systems serving less than 10,000 persons are required to sample two times, 5-7 months apart. Initial monitoring (all four sampling events or both sampling events) must be completed by December 31, 2026, and results must be submitted to EPD no later than April 1, 2027. Results from this initial monitoring will determine the frequency of your future PFAS compliance monitoring.

To support utilities, Georgia EPD has established a monitoring assistance program for PFAS Initial Monitoring, completely free of charge to water systems that qualify. This free monitoring assistance program is being provided to water systems with populations of less than 10,000 persons which do not have Unregulated Contaminants Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) data that could be utilized. If your system qualifies, no further action is required to enroll in the program. As part of this program, sampling kits and instructions will be shipped directly to your facility, either from the GA EPD Lab or Pace Analytical Services Lab. All associated costs will be covered by this State program.

Sampling kits will be shipped according to the schedule that has been set by EPD. The number of kits you receive per sampling event is based on the number of entry points at your facility. Ahead of receiving your sampling kit, EPD highly recommends that sample collectors carefully review the sample collection instructional video, which can be found by scanning the QR code below.

While EPD encourages systems to take advantage of this free program, you may choose to opt- out of the free State-run monitoring assistance program and independently coordinate and pay for your required PFAS monitoring. You may then be able to pursue reimbursement through GEFA. GEFA also has opportunities for funding for remediation and additional sampling. If you're interested in any of these additional funding opportunities, please contact GEFA directly at [email protected].

If you have any questions regarding sampling requirements, your sampling schedule, this State program itself or want to opt-out of the State program, please contact Kalysa Hoffman at (470) 524-0699, or by e-mail at [email protected].

Thank you for your cooperation and participation in GA EPD's PFAS Initial Monitoring program and for your efforts to provide safe drinking water to the residents of Georgia.

https://epd.georgia.gov/collecting-dw-pfas