The Village of Oswego has completed four consecutive quarters of testing its public water supply for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), as required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). While no detections were reported during the first two quarters, recent sampling revealed trace amounts of PFAS in four wells—each at separate locations and at the lowest detectable levels.
In February 2025, PFAS were detected in:
•Well 3, 340 S. Madison Street
•Well 7, 378 Ogden Falls Boulevard
In May 2025, detections occurred at:
•Well 6, 245 Lennox Drive
•Well 11, 6701 Tuscany Trail
The levels detected were well below the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In April 2024, the EPA finalized the first-ever national drinking water standards for PFAS compounds. These include:
- Four parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS
- 10 ppt for PFNA, PFHxS, PFBA and GenX chemicals
Among the PFAS compounds detected, the only regulated substance found in Oswego’s water was PFOA, measured at 0.0004 ug/L in Well 6—just at the threshold of detection and well below the EPA’s action level.
In addition, the Village is proactively coordinating third-party sampling to verify results and assess any future mitigation needs.
“The Village is committed to providing safe, high-quality drinking water and full transparency with our residents,” said Village president Ryan Kauffman.
In tandem with testing efforts, the Village Board voted on June 10 to join other municipalities nationwide in litigation related to PFAS contamination. The lawsuits stem from the long-term use of PFAS chemicals in products such as firefighting foam, which has contributed to groundwater contamination in many communities across the country.
“Following PFAS regulatory changes around seven years ago, significant litigation has occurred nationwide, culminating in a $14 billion settlement involving 3M and DuPont,” said Di Santo during the June 10 Village Board meeting. “The litigation in question relates to harm incurred as a result of synthetic chemicals that were used in creating firefighting foam and how, over time, these chemicals contaminated water supplies of some municipalities.”
Residents can learn more about PFAS and federal drinking water standards by visiting the EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/pfas. Additional updates will be provided as further test results become available.
—Village of Oswego