What a Laboratory Test for PFAS Reports
Lab report lists compound concentrations in nanograms per litre (ng/L)
Certified water tests for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) provide detailed results showing detected compounds measured in nanograms per litre (also expressed as parts per trillion). These minute units reflect the very low concentrations at which these fluorinated compounds are monitored.
Individual compounds such as PFOA and PFOS appear separately
Test reports specify concentrations for compounds like PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) among others, allowing households to understand the specific PFAS present.
Hazard Index and Mixtures of Newer Compounds
Multiple PFAS compounds at low levels may combine in exposure
In communities served by Iredell Water Corporation, monitoring shows different PFAS including PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, PFHxA, and others. Although concentrations are low, the mixture of these "forever chemicals" can contribute to a cumulative burden known as the hazard index.
Understanding what the hazard index means without health claims
The hazard index quantifies combined potential impacts of multiple PFAS but does not directly indicate safety or harm at the household level. It is a tool for regulatory agencies, not proof of individual water quality.
Measured Concentrations and Unit Scale
PFAS measurements at nanogram per litre scale indicate ultra-trace detection
State and federal monitoring for Iredell Water Corporation detected PFOA and PFOS mostly between 0.004 µg/L and 0.019 µg/L (4 to 19 ng/L), showing very low presence relative to federal maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) set at 4 ng/L for these two chemicals starting 2024. The measurements extend to four decimal places, revealing the precision needed to measure these compounds at parts per trillion scales.
Not all detected compounds are above regulatory levels
While some PFOA and PFOS results exceeded federal reporting thresholds, other PFAS like PFHxS and PFNA remained below detection or regulatory limits. This illustrates the differing profiles of specific PFAS in this area's water supply.
Differences Between Public System Data and Private Well Testing
Public system records reflect surface water sources supplying many homes
The Iredell Water Corporation uses surface water sources, serving over 27,000 people through more than 10,000 connections. Monitoring of this public system provides a regional snapshot, not a report on individual household water quality.
Private wells require separate, site-specific testing for PFAS
Homeowners relying on private wells must order dedicated laboratory tests to know their water's PFAS content. Public data cannot substitute for these specific results.
Reading Certified Laboratory Test Reports
Reports present detected PFAS compounds with numeric concentrations
The lab report lists each compound tested alongside its concentration in nanograms per litre. Values below detection limits appear as non-detects, not zero.
Interpreting values in relation to federal MCLs
Comparing test results to the federal maximum contaminant levels helps gauge the presence relative to regulatory benchmarks. However, detections above reporting levels are measurements, not violations.
Regional Sources Influencing PFAS in Statesville Water
PFAS can originate from firefighting foam use in nearby facilities
Firefighting foams containing fluorinated compounds are known regional contributors where training or emergency releases have occurred, potentially influencing surface water quality in Iredell County.
Textile finishing and landfill leachate as localized contributors
Industrial activities such as textile finishing, and waste disposal sites in or near Statesville can release PFAS compounds that enter surface waters serving the public system.
Impact of Water Source and Sample Depth on PFAS Expectation
Surface water sources may show different PFAS patterns than groundwater
Iredell Water Corporation’s surface water origin differs from groundwater wells; surface waters can collect PFAS from varied land uses and runoff, leading to fluctuations in compound types and levels.
Sample depth influences detection sensitivities and concentrations
Shallower samples might reflect surface contamination events, while deeper sources may have lower or delayed PFAS presence, affecting what a test reveals.
Recommended Test and Interpreting a Settling Result
Order a certified laboratory test targeting the full panel of PFAS compounds
To confirm your home's water quality after equipment failure, request a test measuring PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, PFHxA, PFPeA, PFBA, PFHpA, and other relevant fluorinated compounds. This comprehensive approach ensures clarity on which PFAS are present.
Results below federal MCLs generally indicate PFAS at or below regulatory benchmarks
If the test shows PFAS concentrations under the federal maximum contaminant levels established for these substances in 2024, it suggests water quality aligns with the current regulatory framework, though individual treatment preferences vary.
Considering treatment with the Autotrol PFAS Forever Chemicals Filter
For households in Statesville affected by PFAS presence and whose prior equipment has failed, the Autotrol PFAS Forever Chemicals Filter ships ready to configure. It is documented to reduce a broad spectrum of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, addressing 'forever chemicals' in residential water.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2025-03-03. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025) for IREDELL WATER CORPORATION (NC0149025), NC: 800 results across 10 listed contaminants, 39 detections above the reporting level; 14 results above a 2024 federal MCL