Ripon Common Council Informed About PFA Issue
29 October 2019 News
Ripon Water and Wastewater Utility Manager Chris Liveris last night recommended the city wait until the state brings its requirements for allowable PFAs levels more in line with federal standards before participating in any study. The state is looking for 12 communities to participate in a study. PFA compounds come from substances like fire-fighting foam, scotch guard and stain preventing sprays and other substances. Liveris says the city’s fire department does not use that type of foam to put out fires. He says PFAs could cause high cholesterol in adults and developmental problems in children, but at what level and how often is uncertain. He told the Common Council last evening that one way to remove PFAs from the wastewater treatment process would be to landfill the sludge, but an estimate for that cost is $800,000 a year. Building a wastewater treatment plant that could treat the minute levels of PFAs would be in the millions of dollars. Liveris says the Wisconsin Rural Water Association is recommending municipalities wait until more is known about the issue and how it should be approached.
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