Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

PFAS is the term commonly used to refer to Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, which are part of a large group of human-made chemicals that have been in use worldwide since the 1940s. They were manufactured and utilized in cookware, food packaging, personal care products, clothing, furniture, firefighting foam and more for their oil- and water-resistant properties. 

Because PFAS are spread easily and break down very slowly over time, they are present throughout the environment -- soil, water and air. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) refers to PFAS as "forever chemicals." Studies have linked the buildup of these "forever chemicals" to potential health risks in humans. To minimize exposure to PFAS, the EPA and, subsequently, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency recently finalized the adoption of stricter guidelines and maximum contaminant levels for six PFAS in community water supplies.  

The City of Edwardsville shares the commitment of the EPA and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to reducing exposure to PFAS in community water distributions systems. The City is dedicated to providing safe, clean water for its residents and businesses for consumption and other uses. To accomplish that and to keep the public informed, the City:

  • Performs quarterly sampling on 18 different types of PFAS.
  • Utilizes a thorough water treatment process using pressure carbon/sand filters that have been shown to be effective at removing many PFAS and other contaminants. 
  • Publishes on the City's website the most recent Consumer Confidence Report on water quality along with prior year reports.  

2025 PFAS Notification from the IEPA

In accordance with IEPA guidance, in April 2025, the City distributed via the U.S. Postal Service recent PFAS testing results to all consumers along with accompanying IEPA and City of Edwardsville letters. That notification is available on this webpage and at the IEPA community notifications webpage:

Find additional information, resources and steps consumers can take to reduce PFAS exposure on the IEPA website and the U.S. EPA website. Current IEPA community notifications are available on the IEPA's website.