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PFAS Taint Ohio River: Louisville Water Tracks Factory Pollution
30 Nov
Summary
- Louisville Water Company monitors PFAS, specifically GenX, in the Ohio River.
- A West Virginia factory's chemical discharges are linked to a GenX spike.
- New federal PFAS limits are delayed, causing concern for water utilities.
The Louisville Water Company is closely monitoring PFAS, or 'forever chemicals,' in the Ohio River, which supplies the city's tap water. Scientists recently detected a sharp increase in GenX, a specific PFAS chemical, in raw river water. Investigations traced this spike to a factory approximately 400 miles upstream in West Virginia, which uses GenX to produce materials for semiconductors.
While Louisville's treated drinking water currently meets safety standards, the elevated levels in the source water are concerning. The federal EPA introduced new PFAS limits in 2024, but recent policy shifts under the Trump administration may weaken these regulations and extend compliance deadlines. This uncertainty complicates efforts for water utilities to manage and remove these persistent contaminants.
Removing PFAS from drinking water requires significant investment, posing a particular challenge for smaller, rural utilities. Experts emphasize that preventing pollution at the source is more effective and less costly than treating contaminated water. The Louisville Water Company advocates for stricter consideration of downstream impacts when permits for industrial discharges are issued.
