A New Tool for Assessing PFAS Risk in Private Well Water

Abstract

Private well users face unique challenges in assessing and managing exposure risks from PFAS in drinking water. We used publicly available data sets to map potential PFAS sources and private well use across the U.S. We developed a conceptual risk framework that considers multiple potential sources at the same time, incorporating factors such as size, reliability, density, and proximity of sources to private wells. We included risks associated with the land application of biosolids in rural areas. The risk scores generated by the framework were validated against PFAS concentrations from 270 private wells in four U.S. states, confirming the framework’s reliability and accuracy in estimating contamination risks. We then developed an interactive web mapper to visualize risk of PFAS contamination in private well water, including a hazard index, private well densities, and source point locations. This session will review the risk framework and demonstrate the interactive web mapper.