PFAS TAP Bailey Pilot Effort
Test your well, protect your health!
Thank you to the Bailey community for making the PFAS TAP pilot effort a success. We appreciate your engagement and participation! The pilot effort has officially ended, and we are excited to announce that PFAS TAP is now offering free PFAS well testing to all Coloradans with a private well. Private well users in Bailey who did not participate in the pilot effort are eligible to apply for testing and filtration.
Testing helps us identify and minimize exposure to PFAS in the area, and develop recommendations on PFAS contamination. This program is available while supplies last.
- On Feb. 29, 2024, the department and Park County hosted a public meeting to launch the PFAS TAP pilot effort and share information about the program. View the public meeting recording.
- On Nov. 13, 2024, the department and Park County hosted a public meeting to share results from the PFAS TAP pilot effort in Bailey, CO. View the public meeting recording.
Between 2022 and 2023, CDPHE sampling efforts in Bailey (Park County, Colorado) detected PFAS over the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) in 8 of 15 private wells tested and the untreated groundwater wells of two schools. The schools already had treatment to address PFAS in drinking water.
Based on these preliminary sampling results, CDPHE selected Bailey for the location of the PFAS Testing and Assistance Program (PFAS TAP) pilot effort. In 2024, the department launched PFAS TAP. This pilot program offered Bailey residents free well testing for PFAS and free water filters to income-eligible households with PFAS concentrations over the EPA’s MCL.
Between February and September 2024, PFAS TAP sent out 660 PFAS test kits. By the end of November 2024, 75% of the kits had been returned. Of the 494 tests analyzed to date, 42% of wells tested had levels over the EPA’s MCL for at least one type of PFAS. CDPHE recommended that participants apply for the free filter program to reduce their exposure to PFAS.
Learn more about the PFAS TAP pilot effort results by visiting the Bailey community summary.
PFAS TAP pilot effort test results
Between February and September 2024, PFAS TAP tested 494 private wells in Bailey and found that 42% of wells had levels over the EPA’s MCL for at least one type of PFAS. The graphic below shows the use of MCLs in determining the risk of health effects.
Health effects depend on:
- How much, how long, and how often you were exposed to a contaminant.
- Your age, lifestyle, genetics, and health history.
Of the 55 PFAS tested for in this pilot effort, 34 were found in at least one well. This summary will focus on PFOA and PFOS because they are the most common, and we know more about their health effects.
The pie charts show the percentage of PFOA and PFOS results above the EPA’s MCLs of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) and the percentage of results below the limit of detection of 1 ppt. The limit of detection is the smallest amount of a substance that the lab can accurately measure.
- PFOA results ranged from below the limit of detection to 94 ppt. The average PFOA result was 5 ppt.
- PFOS results ranged from below the limit of detection to 123 ppt. The average PFOS result was 3 ppt.
PFAS TAP pilot effort water filtration results
Twelve households submitted a complete application and met eligibility requirements for a free water filter pitcher and a year of replacement filters.
Free testing and filtration options are still available!
If you have not tested your well:
- Coloradans who are interested in testing their well can sign up for free PFAS well testing.
- You may choose to skip well testing and purchase your own filter using our guide for choosing a PFAS water filter.
- Explore the Water Quality Association search tool for water filters.
- The Washington State Department of Health also has a resource for point-of-use filter options.
If you have tested and do not have a water filter:
- If your PFAS results show PFOA or PFOS at or above the MCL of 4 parts per trillion (ppt), consider taking action by getting a filter. The lower the level of PFAS in drinking water, the lower the risk of health effects.
- Apply for a free filter through PFAS TAP.
- Review this EPA PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation factsheet to learn more about regulations for PFAS.
- If your PFAS results show PFOA or PFOS below 4 ppt and you are concerned, visit our PFAS and health webpage to learn how to reduce your exposure. One way to reduce your exposure is to use filtered water for drinking and cooking.
More private well water resources
- Visit the department’s private wells webpage for a list of helpful resources, or visit the private well water and your health webpage to learn more about well water quality and how it impacts your health.
- The Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) provides private well owner education and opportunities for an in-depth individual well assessment.
- Request a copy of the Well Owner’s Guide from wellowner.org to find information on private well water construction, maintenance, and more.
- View the complete PFAS TAP questions and answers document for additional resources.
Contact
Questions about PFAS TAP?
Contact PFAS TAP at 303-906-8052 or cdphe_pfas-tap@state.co.us.
Questions about PFAS and your health?
Contact ToxCall at 303-692-2606 or cdphe_toxcall@state.co.us.