LELAND, NC – H2GO was dismayed to read the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) January 22nd study results “PFAS Contamination of Drinking Water Far More Prevalent Than Previously Reported”, in which Brunswick County topped the list in terms of PFAS contamination. While EWG points out that the results “…are not intended to identify specific water systems”, it is still of concern to H2GO and a matter they will continue to take seriously.

Currently, H2GO receives treated surface water from Brunswick County Public Utilities, which is then distributed to H2GO customers. Brunswick County diligently tested their water supply for the last two and a half years. Test results have continued to remain below EPA established health advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ instituted provisional health goal for GenX, however the total PFAS sample level of 185.9 ppt is exceedingly troubling to H2GO. In turn, they have decided to ramp up their testing again to give our customers readily available data and additional testing results. This information will be posted to H2GO’s website at www.H2GOonline.com.

EWG scientists believe that “…PFAS is likely detectable in all major water supplies in the U.S., almost certainly in all that use surface water.” In 2011 H2GO began proactively planning for an alternate water supply, one that was aquifer-based and not reliant on the Cape Fear River. The EWG study touts reverse osmosis as the most effective method for removal, stating that “studies have demonstrated that reverse osmosis treatment is effective for removal of all types of long and shorter-chain PFAS.” Tested when the GenX story first broke in 2017, H2GO found that their deep well, confined aquifers were free of any manmade chemicals, including PFAS. With the recent revelations surrounding the public water supply in Brunswick County and the eight years of studies and preparation surrounding the Aquifer-Based Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant, it is obvious now more than ever how crucial it is for H2GO to build their solution in order to secure a safer, alternate water supply for over 20,000 citizens.