PFAS Update 7/18/20

We last updated you on Boulder County’s groundwater testing on 1/21/2020.

As of late June 2020, the CO Department of Health & Environment provided additional funding to Boulder County Department of Health to conduct about a dozen additional well water tests in locations they selected. They have selected homes situated primarily to the southwest and northeast of Station Two and have scheduled the tests for July 20 and 21. Homeowners selected have been notified.

Station Two’s well has been shut off and the cistern has been drained by an environmental firm, which properly disposed of the water outside our District. After a cleaning as prescribed by that firm, potable water will be brought in to fill the cistern. That water will only be used for the station toilet and sink – not for drinking.

PFAS Update 1/21/20

At year-end 2019 the CO Department of Health & Environment authorized Boulder County Department of Health to conduct ten additional well tests in locations they selected.  Due to holiday delays in obtaining testing materials, those tests could not be completed in time for 2019 funding.  The state has now authorized additional testing funds (currently undergoing administrative processing).  The county just notified the residents of the ten homes as follows:

“Just wanted to provide a quick update regarding PFA testing. The county did receive additional funding from CDPHE to continue PFA water tests in 2020. We will finalize the PO/contract process by the end of January. We expect we will begin testing mid to late February and will reschedule those tests a week to 10 days in advance.”

PFAS update 12/14/19

As described in our previous update (10/15/19), a water testing work plan was developed by Boulder County Department of Health (BCPH) and approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), with state funding for collecting and lab testing 18 wells located within 1500 feet of Station Two.

Sampling was conducted by BCPH personnel on 10/14 & 10/15.   Boulder County Public Health just informed us, in summary, that all but three residence tests came in UNDER the EPA 70 ppt guidelines.  This is excellent news!  Of the remaining three residences, two had results somewhat above the guideline, while one residence has a higher result. 

The County Has contacted residents where testing was done with summary information and will answer questions about next steps, if any.  Individual test results will be available only to the owner upon request to BCPH.  BCPH, working with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment team, have decided to conduct some additional testing based on geological features. Such tests will be taken soon. Impacted homeowners will be contacted seeking permission to take well samples.

As a reminder, BMFPD personnel are not expert in the field of well water contaminants.  BMFPD will not receive any results with identification of name or address of the individual residence.  We will continue to share updates.  

Robert B. Loveman, Boulder:  303 926-0204

Rloveman47@gmail.com

PFAS Update 10/15/19

As described in our previous update (9/18/19), a water testing work plan was developed by Boulder County Department of Health (BCPH) and approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), with state funding for collecting and lab testing 17 wells located within 1500 feet of Station Two.

Sampling was conducted by BCPH personnel on 10/14 & 10/15.   Many thanks to owners of selected properties for their cooperation in allowing efficient well water samples.  Once results become available (approx.. 4-6 weeks after collection), summary information will be posted on the BMFPD website (www.bmfpd.org), while protecting individual residence data.

As a reminder, BMFPD personnel are not expert in the field of well water contaminants.  That said, the following personnel are available to either answer your questions or refer you to appropriate parties:

Chief John Benson: chief@bouldermountainfire.org; 303-440-0235

Board President Bob Loveman:  rloveman47@gmail.com; 303-926-0204

Board Secretary Scott Schiff:  sschiff74@gmail.com; 719-250-5892

Boulder County Public Health, Joe Malinowski:  jmalinowski@bouldercounty.org;  303-441-1197

On a different topic, some homeowners have asked for additional information on reverse osmosis kitchen water filters.  While BMFPD is not an expert in this area, we have worked with Andy Horn of Westwater Hydrology LLC, and he has shared three pieces of information he has gathered while doing research on the topic.  NOTE:  in the RO-PURE Plus product attachment, it suggests using Teflon tape.  However, such tape often contains PFAS.  Therefore, Mr. Horn recommends using an alternative tape product.  Here are the links:

Robert B. Loveman

President, Boulder Mountain Fire Protection District

(see 3 attachments)

Westwater 1  Westwater 2 Westwater 3

PFAS Update 9/18/19

BMFPD Chief John Benson hosted a “PFAS and BMFPD Meeting” at Station Two in Boulder Heights on Wednesday evening 9/18/19, drawing an audience of 80, including representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) and the Boulder County Department of Health (BCPH).  Boulder County Commissioner Deb Gardner also attended.  The presentations, led by the lead CDPHE toxicologist, generated numerous questions from the audience with answers from the governmental experts.

Attached is the slide deck from the presentation.  Attendees interested in having their homes included in a limited testing for PFAO and PFAS by BCPH signed up; BMFPD personnel will be contacting those interested parties as the sampling plan is finalized and collection schedules are determined.  If you are contacted about sampling, please respond promptly to expedite the process.  Once results become available (approx.. 6 weeks after collection), summary information will be posted on the BMFPD website (www.bmfpd.org), while protecting individual residence data.

Representatives from all agencies urged homeowners with wells to have their water tested for a wide range of substances on a frequent basis.  They state that health risks from metals, nitrates, uranium, and other contaminants may be more harmful than PFAS.

 Attendees requested contact information for the government agencies:

U.S. EPA, Bob Benson:  Benson.Bob@epa.gov;  303-312-7070

CDPHE, Tyson Ingels:  tyson.ingels@state.co.us;  303-692-3002

Boulder County Public Health, Joe Malinowski:  jmalinowski@bouldercounty.org;  303-441-1197

General PFAS Info: www.colorado.gov/cdphe/pfcs

 BMFPD personnel are not expert in the field of well water contaminants.  That said, the following personnel are available to either answer your questions or refer you to appropriate parties:

Chief John Benson: chief@bouldermountainfire.org; 303-440-0235

Board President Bob Loveman:  rloveman47@gmail.com; 303-926-0204

Board Secretary Scott Schiff:  sschiff74@gmail.com; 719-250-5892

Robert B. Loveman

President, Boulder Mountain Fire Protection District