Galesburg residents will receive a mailing next week outlining the detection of PFOA in the city’s water system at levels slightly exceeding new state groundwater quality standards. It’s important to understand that this notification does not indicate a decline in Galesburg’s water quality. In fact, water quality has improved since 2021, when initial PFAS guidelines were established. This notification is a direct result of the recent adoption by the State of Illinois of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) final ruling, which established enforceable levels for six PFAS known to occur in drinking water, including PFOA.
Recognizing the potential for stricter regulations, Galesburg has been proactively working to reduce PFOA in its drinking water since the Illinois EPA (IEPA) issued draft guidelines in 2021. These efforts include regular quarterly testing and prioritizing the use of wells with lower PFOA concentrations. This strategy has successfully reduced the detected PFOA level by half. While the new regulations allow five years for compliance, Galesburg’s work to further lower PFOA levels below the new enforceable standards is already well underway.
PFAS: An Overview
PFAS are a group of thousands of manmade substances produced in the United States since the 1940s and used in various applications, from water and stain repellents to firefighting foams. Studies suggest that prolonged exposure to high levels of PFAS-contaminated water may lead to adverse health effects. Although some PFAS have been phased out due to environmental and health concerns, they persist in the environment and can contaminate surface and groundwater. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), two of the most common compounds in this class, ceased production in the U.S. in the early 2000s but may still be present in imported goods.
In 2021, the Illinois EPA developed health-based Draft Guidance Levels for the limited number of PFAS where sufficient data existed. These Draft Guidance Levels were intended to be protective of individuals consuming the water over their lifetime. It’s important to note that these were not regulatory limits for drinking water but rather benchmarks used to assess sampling results and determine if further investigation or action was needed.
In April 2024, the EPA issued a final ruling establishing legally enforceable levels for six PFAS found in drinking water. Subsequently, in March 2025, Illinois enacted a law adopting Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) identical to the federal EPA ruling. These enforceable MCLs vary depending on the specific PFAS compound.
PFAS in drinking water is not solely a City of Galesburg or region specific concern, as water systems nation-wide are impacted by PFAS.
Galesburg’s Water Quality
Recent state and federal rulings established Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six PFAS, and Galesburg’s water currently exceeds only one of these levels: PFOA. The current PFOA level in Galesburg’s water is 5.9 parts per trillion (ppt), which is above the newly established MCL of 4 ppt. Thanks to proactive efforts, including regular quarterly testing and the use of wells with lower PFOA concentrations, this level is significantly lower than the 12 ppt recorded in December 2020.
Measures Implemented & Long Term Solutions
The recently adopted law mandates that all public drinking water systems implement solutions within five years to reduce PFAS levels in drinking water below the new MCL standards. While the City of Galesburg is not currently in violation and has until the five-year deadline to comply, public notification is required when levels exceed the established standards.
The crucial work to address this issue well before the 2029 deadline has been ongoing since 2021. The City conducts quarterly testing for PFAS compounds in its drinking water and reports these results to the IEPA. Research has identified the PFOA levels in each well, and the City has reduced or ceased production from wells with higher PFOA levels, increasing the use of wells with lower concentrations.
While the actions taken thus far have effectively lowered PFOA levels, the City is actively pursuing long-term solutions aimed at completely removing PFOA. A pilot study has been initiated to evaluate various treatment options, including their effectiveness and cost of implementation. Additionally, test wells will soon be drilled near the Oquawka water treatment plant, further away from the suspected PFOA source in the Mississippi River. Ongoing work and analysis will determine if these new test well locations can provide a sustainable water source with no detectable PFAS compounds, making them viable sites for permanent wells.
Next Steps
In accordance with the IEPA recommendation, the City is informing all consumers of the PFOA results through distribution of the IEPA letters and notification. A copy of the notice, as well as PFAS fact sheets, can be found on the City’s website.
“Providing Galesburg residents with the highest quality drinking water is our top priority,” stated Aaron Gavin, Public Works Director. “We are actively addressing PFOA and aggressively pursuing the most effective, sustainable solutions. When all is said and done, our commitment to transparency and the safety of our water supply remain paramount.”
***Courtesy of the City of Galesburg***
