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10 <br /> 1 OWASA supports and participates in science-based research to inform these regulations and <br /> 2 protect water quality and human health. <br /> 3 <br /> 4 In January 2018, OWASA initiated a proactive monitoring program for PFAS — per- and <br /> 5 polyfluoroalkyl substances—for our raw reservoir water and treated drinking water; sampling <br /> 6 continued on a quarterly basis throughout 2019 of our Cane Creek Reservoir raw water and <br /> 7 treated drinking water. PFAS are man-made chemicals used in a variety of everyday products <br /> 8 to increase resistance to water, grease, or stains. PFAS are also present in aqueous firefighting <br /> 9 foams. There are thousands of PFAS compounds in existence, including GenX. <br /> 10 <br /> 11 The EPA established a lifetime Health Advisory Level of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for the <br /> 12 combined amount of two categories of PFAS in drinking water. A ppt is comparable to a grain of <br /> 13 sand in an Olympic swimming pool. OWASA's treated drinking water remains well below the <br /> 14 health advisory level. <br /> 15 In addition, we have begun to voluntarily test our wastewater for PFAS. As products containing <br /> 16 PFAS are washed or degrade, PFAS can enter wastewater systems and travel into lakes and <br /> 17 rivers. Wastewater systems are not sources of PFAS but are passive receivers. <br /> 18 <br /> 19 The results of OWASA's wastewater testing consistently showed combined concentrations of <br /> 20 the two monitored categories of PFAS were also below the 70 ppt threshold. <br /> 21 <br /> 22 While PFAS research is emerging and complex, OWASA is committed to sharing available <br /> 23 information about PFAS with customers in a manner that is accessible and understandable. <br /> 24 OWASA includes PFAS monitoring updates to local stakeholders, documents on our website, <br /> 25 OWASA Quarterly Report January 16, 2020 and through communications directly with <br /> 26 customers — including the annual Water Quality Report Card and recent educational initiatives <br /> 27 at the Chapel Hill Public Library. <br /> 28 <br /> 29 Care to Share Day: <br /> 30 OWASA and the Interfaith Council for Social Services celebrated the inaugural Care to Share <br /> 31 Day on November 21, 2019. Leading up to the event day, OWASA hosted a series of in-person <br /> 32 and social media-focused events. WCHL donated 23 public service announcements; OWASA <br /> 33 and IFC staff came together to celebrate and raise funds; there was significant social media <br /> 34 activity generating interest and awareness for the program. <br /> 35 <br /> 36 The program plays an important role in our community, and we hope this awareness effort <br /> 37 leads to an increase in donors to the program. <br /> 38 <br /> 39 Thank you to the governing boards for proclaiming Care to Share Day at meetings leading up to <br /> 40 the celebration. We value your historic and ongoing partnership and support of Care to Share. <br /> 41 <br /> 42 Youth Water Academy: <br /> 43 Another group of water-conscious local teens is ready to take their newly acquired water <br /> 44 knowledge to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community after completing OWASA's Youth Water <br /> 45 Academy. <br /> 46 <br /> 47 This fall's program culminated in early December for the 18 participants from local high schools <br /> 48 after five weeks of learning the ins and outs of the process of bringing high-quality water from <br /> 49 the source to taps across the community. <br /> 50 <br />