PFAS Chemicals Found In 4 Oswego Public Water Wells: Village

OSWEGO, IL — PFAS chemicals were found "at the lowest detectable levels" in four wells of Oswego's public water supply, village officials said.

The Village of Oswego conducted four consecutive quarters of testing its water supply for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, as required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Although no detections were reported during the first two quarters, recent sampling uncovered trace amounts of the chemicals at four separate locations, according to a news release.

In February, PFAS were detected in Well 3, located at 340 S. Madison St., and in Well 7, at 378 Ogden Falls Blvd. In May, Well 6, at 245 Lennox Drive, and Well 11, at 6701 Tuscany Trail, were also found to contain some chemicals.

The levels were "well below" the maximum contaminant levels set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS and 10 ppt for PFNA, PFHxS, PFBA and GenX chemicals. The EPA finalized in April 2024 the first-ever national drinking water standards for PFAS compounds.

Oswego officials said the only regulated substance detected in Oswego's water was PFOA in Well 6, measured at 0.0004 ug/L — just at the threshold of detection.

The Village is coordinating third-party sampling to verify the results and determine any future mitigation needs.

"The Village is committed to providing safe, high-quality drinking water and full transparency with our residents," Village President Ryan Kauffman said in a statement.

Oswego is also joining other municipalities nationwide in litigation related to PFAS contamination. The lawsuit, which the Village Board voted June 10 to participate in, stems from the long-term use of PFAS in products — such as firefighting foam — that have contributed to groundwater contamination.

"Following PFAS regulatory changes around seven years ago, significant litigation has occurred nationwide, culminating in a $14 billion settlement involving 3M and DuPont," Village Administrator Dan Di Santo said during the June 10 meeting. "The litigation in question relates to harm incurred as a result of synthetic chemicals that were used in creating firefighting foam and how, over time, these chemicals contaminated water supplies of some municipalities."