The Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is taking a proactive approach to ensure safe drinking water for all Coloradans and avoid future contamination from chemicals found in firefighting foam and other materials, known as PFAS (per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances). The department formed the PFAS Grant Program to support identifying, assessing, and reducing the impacts of PFAS on human health and the environment.
Colorado has funding available now to help entities determine if their water contains any level of PFAS. If PFAS is found above current health advisory levels, funding can also be used to install treatment.
Any public water system, local public health agency, private well owners, tribal governments, any other government entity, or non-profit educational institution can apply for the grant. The deadline is April 1, 2022, and grants will be awarded by May 1, 2022. If there are additional funds after the grants are awarded, the department will likely leave the application period open for additional submittals but no later than Oct. 31, 2022.
The PFAS Grant Program provides money to eligible entities through three project categories:
- Sampling - for standard sampling and independent environmental studies.
- Emergency Assistance - for communities and water systems affected by PFAS.
- Infrastructure - treating existing PFAS and strategies for preventing upstream sources of PFAS.
Additionally, eligible entities and private well owners may request private well or small-scale sampling on the PFAS Projects webpage. This is to request small-scale sampling (up to five samples) before deciding to complete the entire RFA package.
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals called per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are persistent in the environment, and can cause health impacts to those exposed. Exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects including low infant birth weights. PFAS from firefighting foam, personal products, and other sources can contaminate water supplies including groundwater and surface water posing risks to drinking water, the environment, and public health.
The EPA is currently working to update health-based guidelines and develop a drinking water regulation for PFAS. Health-based guidelines and levels are likely to be much lower than previously anticipated.
CDPHE continues to work towards minimizing the levels of PFAS in Colorado’s water.
For more information cdphe.colorado.gov/pfas-projects
