If you have noticed typical water use without unusual taste or staining in Pulaski County, you might wonder about the presence of PFAS, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or "forever chemicals," in your household water. The Fort Leonard Wood public water system, which serves 34,000 people across 2,440 connections here, relies on surface water and participates in ongoing federal monitoring.
How the UCMR5 Survey Differs from UCMR3 in Compounds and Detection Levels
UCMR5 adds newer fluorinated compounds missed by earlier surveys
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR5) expands on the previous UCMR3 by including a broader array of fluorinated compounds for testing, such as PFHxS, HFPO-DA, and PFBS, at lower detection thresholds. For Pulaski County’s Fort Leonard Wood system, this survey began in early 2024 and runs through mid-2025, providing more detailed occurrence data than before.
Lower reporting levels increase detection sensitivity
Compared to UCMR3, UCMR5 uses stricter reporting levels, down to as low as 0.003 micrograms per liter (or 3 ng/L), enabling detection of compounds that were previously unmeasurable. This helps establish a clearer picture of these persistent substances in regional surface water sources.
Which Fluorinated Compounds Now Carry Federal MCLs and Which Do Not
PFOA and PFOS have new federal maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) starting 2024
For the Fort Leonard Wood system, none of the 32 samples detected PFOA or PFOS above the reporting level of 4 ng/L, which equals the new federal MCLs effective this year. This means the system’s record shows no measured presence above these enforceable thresholds.
Other compounds like PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS lack federal MCLs but are monitored
While PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA carry proposed federal MCLs of 10 ng/L in 2024, none of the samples from this system were detected above reporting levels significantly below that mark. PFBS was detected once just above the minimal reporting level but well below any federal MCL.
The Hazard Index for Mixtures of Newer Compounds Explained
Combined exposure assessment accounts for multiple fluorinated substances without defining safety
Regulators use a hazard index to estimate potential combined effects from measured levels of fluorinated compounds. In this system’s observations, since detections are mostly below reporting levels and all below MCLs, the calculated hazard index would be low, indicating minimal measured mixture presence under federal monitoring.
Hazard index values do not determine household risk but guide monitoring priorities
This index helps direct future surveillance and potential regulatory action but does not specifically inform any individual's water safety without home-specific testing.
Sample Size and Source Variety: What the Data Represent and Limitations
Thirty-two samples from a single surface water source provide a snapshot, not home-specific data
The 32 samples represent the system’s monitoring points rather than individual taps or residential plumbing, offering a broad view of the source water quality over time but not the exact water at your faucet.
Small sample sizes limit capturing short-term spikes or localized variations
While multiple samples cover different dates, rare events or minor contamination near your household could go undetected by system-wide monitoring. Testing your own water is needed to confirm personal conditions.
Adjustments for Households of Different Sizes and Usage Patterns
Larger households or those with increased water needs should consider treatment capacity accordingly
Households with many members or high water demand will want filtration solutions designed to handle greater volumes without performance loss. This matters for prolonged reduction of PFAS in daily use.
Seasonal properties require attention to prolonged inactivity and system flushing
If your Pulaski County residence is used seasonally, stagnant water in pipes may affect water quality. Regular flushing and monitoring are advisable to ensure treatment effectiveness.
Summary
Federal PFAS monitoring for the Fort Leonard Wood public water system in Pulaski County shows no detections of key 'forever chemicals' above new federal limits, though one minor detection of PFBS occurred below any health-based benchmark. Understanding the survey scope, monitoring compound regulations, and sample limitations helps you decide whether to test your household water specifically. The Fleck PFAS Forever Chemicals Filter ships ready to configure and offers a documented option for reducing fluorinated compounds where you find them present in your water supply.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2025-06-11. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025) for FORT LEONARD WOOD (MO3079500), MO: 320 results across 10 listed contaminants, 1 detections above the reporting level; compared with the applicable federal MCL, none above
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