Public Hearing Notice: EMC Proposed Groundwater Quality Standards for Three Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) – they need to hear from you by December 31.
The Environmental Management Commission is intending to amend the rule, 15A NCAC 02L .0202 Groundwater Quality Standards, in order to establish groundwater standards for three per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): PFOA, PFOS, and GenX. By setting new standards, they aim to identify contamination sources, prevent further issues, and clean up existing problems. This update will help protect the quality and safety of our groundwater for use as a drinking water source.
Port City Java Coffeehouse owner Steve Schnitzler supports the move, “It’s not just the water you are directly drinking,” he said. “Livestock is fed by wells — nobody uses the public water system to water 10,000 chickens — they use well water for that – and if that’s in the well water, then it’s in those animals. We’re bioaccumulating this stuff.”
Port City Daily News article that describes the context around PFAS , features Haw River Assembly’s work in these investigations and discusses IMAC rules over the last few months.
North Carolina currently ranks third in the nation for 1,4-Dioxane and PFAS contamination but legislation has been stalled. The Randleman Reservoir, from which Jamestown receives drinking water, has been found to have some of the highest concentrations of PFAS and 1,4-Dioxane in the state.
https://www.yesweekly.com/news/jamestown_news/state-to-hold-hearings-accept-comment-on-proposed-groundwater-standards-for-three-pfas/article_75d3ff3e-96d7-11ef-9985-9ff128d85865.html#google_vignette
Comments: Public comments may be submitted in writing or by email anytime through December 31, 2024, to the following: Bridget Shelton, NC DEQ Division of Water Resources, Planning Section, 1611 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1611
Public hearings: Public hearings have been scheduled at the dates, times, and locations below:
- Charlotte: Thursday, November 21, 2024, 6:00p.m. Pine and Fraser Fir Rooms, Mecklenburg County Land Use & Environmental Services Building, 2145 Suttle Ave., Charlotte, NC 28208
- Wilmington: Monday, December 2, 2024, 6:00p.m. U-170, Union Station Building, Cape Fear Community College, 502 N. Front Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
- Raleigh: Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 6:00p.m. Ground Floor Hearing Room, Archdale Building, 512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27604
At each hearing, speaker registration and sign-in will begin at 5:00 p.m. Each hearing will conclude by 9:00 p.m., however the hearing officer may conclude the hearing earlier if all registered speakers have been heard. The Hearing Officer may limit the length of time for each speaker to allow everyone an opportunity to be heard. Written comments and copies of prepared remarks will be accepted at each hearing.
More information on the proposed groundwater standards including links to the full notice published in the North Carolina Register and the associated regulatory impact analysis can be found on the DEQ Proposed Rules website<https://www.deq.nc.gov/accessdeq/rules-regulations/deq-proposed-rules/proposed-rules#ProposedAmendmentsto15ANCAC02L0202GroundwaterQualityStandards-17075>.
Please feel free to forward this information to interested parties.
