Data Collected to Assess the Occurrence and Distribution of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in West Virginia Public Source-Water Supplies, 2019 - 2021

Source water for West Virginia’s public water systems is pumped from groundwater aquifers or withdrawn from the state’s rivers and lakes. These systems provide drinking water to a majority of the state’s population and require constant monitoring for known and emerging contaminants. Groundwater contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has occurred in West Virginia around industrial facilities and military installations. To understand the potential impact of PFAS contamination in the state’s source waters, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) and West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR) required information on the state-wide distribution of the contaminant. From May 2019 through May 2021, samples of un-treated water were collected from raw-water supplies at 279 public water systems in West Virginia. Parameters collected at the time of sampling included pH, specific conductance, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and alkalinity. Samples were analyzed at the US Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Quality Laboratory for several inorganic analytes including major ions, trace elements, and nutrients. Samples were also analyzed for 28 PFAS compounds at a contract laboratory that is accredited under the Department of Defense (DoD) Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program for PFAS analysis compliant with DoD Quality Systems Manual table B15. These data are stored in the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) but are not available to the public from that platform because West Virginia State Law §22-26-4 and USGS policy concerning the release of sensitive water related information prohibits the release of public water system infrastructure location information. This USGS data release serves as the public release of available data and provides a reference location for associated reports.

[
  "010:12"
]

[
  "geospatial"
]