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Projects and programs addressing chemicals from firefighting foam and other sources

Current projects and programs

PFAS grant program

In 2020, legislators created the PFAS Cash Fund through Senate Bill 20-218 to help prevent further contamination and reduce exposure to PFAS chemicals. Through this funding, the department can administer the PFAS Grant Program. The PFAS Grant Program provides funding to support efforts in identifying, assessing, and reducing the impacts of PFAS on human health and the environment. The PFAS Grant Program has three categories:

  • Sampling.
  • Emergency assistance.
  • Infrastructure.

For more information on the PFAS Grant Program, please use the tabs below or email cdphe_wqcd_pfas_grant@state.co.us.

Applications for large-scale sampling projects are now closed for 2024 but will reopen in 2025. Applications for emergency assistance and infrastructure are still open. The request form for small-scale public water systems and private well sampling is still open.

Eligible entities awarded a grant will receive the grant through a cost reimbursement process. Grantees are responsible for grant administration and requesting reimbursement from the department. The Request for Application (RFA) lists eligible entities for the PFAS grant program, which includes: 

  • Governmental agencies.
  • Tribes.
  • Public water systems.
  • Private not-for-profit public water systems.
  • Counties or local health departments.
  • Fire Departments.
  • Not-for-profit non-governmental organizations.
  • Domestic wastewater treatment works.
  • Non-profit educational institutions.

Learn more

Description

This grant provides financial assistance in the sampling, assessment, and investigation of PFAS in groundwater and surface water to identify PFAS contamination in drinking water and the environment. There are two sampling categories:

  • Standard sampling.
  • Independent Environmental Studies (IES).
Eligibility criteria

Eligible projects will meet the following criteria:

  • Sampling, assessing, and investigating PFAS in groundwater and surface water to identify PFAS contamination in drinking water and the environment.
How to apply

Standard sampling

For standard sampling projects, please submit a completed version of the following documents in this order:

  1. Completed application checklist.
  2. Standard sampling grant application.
  3. Sampling map.
  4. W-9.
  5. Financial risk assessment.

All of the necessary documents to complete an application are available in this public folder.

Independent Environmental Studies (IES)

For IES projects, please submit a completed version of the following documents in this order:

  1. Completed application checklist.
  2. IES grant application.
  3. Sampling map.
  4. W-9.
  5. Financial risk assessment.
  6. Sampling and analysis plan.

All of the necessary documents to complete an application are available in this public folder.

Private well or small-scale public water system sampling

For private well or small-scale public water system sampling projects, please submit a private well sampling request form or a public water systems sampling request form.

Please note that eligible entities may fill out a private well or small-scale sampling request form at any time before deciding to complete the entire RFA package.

 

 

Description

This grant provides financial assistance for emergency assistance projects to communities and water systems affected by PFAS.

Eligibility criteria

Eligible projects will meet the following criteria:

  • Elevated levels of PFAS above the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).
  • A release of PFAS that poses an immediate threat to public health and/or the environment.
How to apply

Please submit a completed version of the following documents in this order:

  1. Completed application checklist.
  2. Emergency Assistance Grant Application.
    W-9.
  3. Financial risk assessment.

All of the necessary documents to complete an application are available in this public folder.

Description

This grant provides financial assistance for the planning, design, and construction of public water systems infrastructure used for the treatment of identified PFAS. In addition, PFAS prevention projects to minimize future infrastructure will also be funded under this category.

There are two tiers for this category:

  • Tier I: Infrastructure projects, including planning, design, and construction.
  • Tier II: Upstream prevention and/or reduction of PFAS sources.
Eligibility criteria

Eligible projects will meet the following criteria:

  • The infrastructure must be used to treat elevated levels of PFAS contamination.
  • The elevated levels must have already been identified.
How to apply

Please submit a completed version of the following documents in this order:

  1. Completed application checklist.
  2. Infrastructure grant application.
  3. W-9.
  4. Financial risk assessment.

All of the necessary documents to complete an application are available in this public folder.


The following documents are for SB20-218 grant recipients to invoice CDPHE for any completed project work through the grant program. Please email all required documents to cdphe_wqcd_pfas_grant@state.co.us.

 

Discharge permits (CDPS permitting)

We have started to require monitoring and limits for PFAS in discharge permits.

Learn more

In July 2020, the Water Quality Control Commission adopted the department's proposed PFAS Narrative Policy, Policy 20-1.

The PFAS Narrative Policy describes how the department will regulate these chemicals in Colorado lakes, streams, and other waters. For more information, please review the department’s Policy 20-1 fact sheet, which includes monitoring for these chemicals and setting limits for discharge permits. The department has started the process of monitoring and setting limits for discharge permits, and we will periodically update the list of permits and permit certifications with current and proposed PFAS monitoring and limits.

Before proposing Policy 20-1 to the commission, the Water Quality Control Division hosted three stakeholder meetings to gather feedback. The meeting materials are available in this public folder.

Resources for permittees:

For more information, contact Jon Wallace (Water Quality Control Division) at jon.wallace@state.co.us; or Al Garcia, Pretreatment Coordinator, USEPA Region 8, garcia.al@epa.gov.

PFAS in fish pilot project

With EPA provided funding, we partnered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to learn more about the levels of PFAS in fish in six Colorado waterbodies. These waterbodies will be tested throughout the summer of 2023. 

Learn more

The purpose of this sampling effort is to build upon the 2020 pilot fish sampling project that collected and analyzed fish from three waterbodies with known or suspected PFAS contamination to gather additional data to help us understand how people could be exposed to PFAS through fish.

The department selected the six waterbodies by evaluating factors such as their proximity to known PFAS contamination, proximity to disproportionately impacted communities, and fish species present in the water bodies.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife collected fish from May through June 2023 and sent the tissue samples for analysis.

Certificate of registration program

Anyone using or storing Class B firefighting foam containing PFAS must register through the Certificate of Registration Program.

Learn more

Firefighting foams fall into two main categories, Class A and Class B. Class A foams are used to fight fires caused by wood, paper, and plants. They generally do not contain PFAS chemicals. Class B foams put out fires caused by flammable liquids like gasoline, oil, and jet fuel. They may contain PFAS chemicals.

Anyone using or storing Class B firefighting foam containing these chemicals must register through the Certificate of Registration Program. The Hazardous Waste Management Division developed this program with stakeholders. The meeting materials are available in this public folder. 

Additional resources:

We will share information in the coming months on a Takeback Program to purchase, collect, and provide interim storage for firefighting foams containing these chemicals until a safe disposal method is identified.

Takeback program

This program allows us to purchase and store firefighting foam containing these chemicals until we can safely dispose of it. 

Learn more

Through the Takeback Program, CDPHE will pay eligible Colorado fire departments and commercial service airports to take unspent firefighting foam containing PFAS out of service and safely store it until we know of a safe disposal method and can collect it for transport and safe disposal. 

Program eligibility and details

Payment: $40 per gallon for unspent firefighting foam containing PFAS to help support fire departments and commercial service airports with the purchase of PFAS-free replacement foam and provide safe storage for unspent foam containing PFAS.

Eligible entities: Colorado fire departments and commercial service airports that registered through the certificate of registration program.  

Eligible materials: Unspent firefighting foam containing PFAS. 

Proper disposal method: Applicant to follow EPA’s Interim PFAS Destruction and Disposal Guidance by providing interim storage until a safe disposal method is identified.

Timeline:
  • Application period: Extended to December 31, 2024
  • Payment distribution: Extended to January 31, 2025
How to apply

1. Fill out this sign-up form to receive an application to participate in the takeback program.
2. Once you fill out the sign-up form, a CDPHE project manager will reach out to you to begin next steps. 

This program is supported through Senate Bill 20-218, CDPHE Hazardous Substances Responses. Until EPA determines a safe disposal method, we will follow EPA’s Interim PFAS Destruction and Disposal Guidance that recommends interim storage. The Takeback Program may be expanded to include other entities and materials containing PFAS in the future.

Completed

Vulnerability map

This project will lead to the development of a statewide map to help us determine where we should prioritize PFAS sampling and collect firefighting foam. This map will use many sources of data to determine possible water contamination and who might be at risk. It will consider potential burdens on disproportionately impacted communities.

CO SCOPE

CO SCOPE is the Colorado Study on Community Outcomes from PFAS Exposure. Communities in Southeast El Paso County, Colorado were exposed to PFAS chemicals in their drinking water as a result of firefighting foam use at Peterson Air Force Base. A team is studying how drinking water that contains these chemicals may harm health. This study is part of a nationwide, multi-site study funded by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Adams County sampling project

Adams County Sampling Project

We partnered with the Tri-County Health Department and the EPA to identify whether PFAS contamination could be present in designated areas impacting private residential wells.

Learn more
  • We sampled ten private wells.
  • We tested for thirty-one different types of PFAS in each sample.
  • The water samples collected during this project were below detection levels for the PFAS compounds PFOA and PFOS, included in the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).
  • Nine of the ten samples collected during this project were below detection levels for all the PFAS compounds analyzed.
  • One sample had measurable levels for two of the PFAS compounds.
  • The lab could measure most PFAS to 10 parts per trillion (ppt).

Summit County sampling project

Summit County Sampling Project

We partnered with the Summit County Environmental Health Department and the EPA to sample these chemicals in private wells in the Frisco area.

Learn more
  • We sampled 12 private wells and surface water in Miner’s Creek.
  • We tested for thirty-one different types of PFAS in each sample.
  • For all of the samples, test results for each PFAS were below the level the lab could measure.
  • The lab could measure most PFAS to 20 parts per trillion (ppt).

 

Exposure assessment and results

CDC/ATSDR Exposure Assessment

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) completed an exposure assessment of people living near Peterson Air Force Base in El Paso County, Colorado.

Learn more
  • A team tested 346 people, including 28 children. Eighteen households provided environmental samples, including tap water and dust.
  • Two chemicals (PFHxS and PFOA) in blood were above national averages. Results for four other chemicals (PFOS, PFNA,
  • MeFOSAA, PFUnA, and PFDA) were similar to or below national averages. Urine sample results showed very low concentrations of these chemicals.

 

Public water systems dashboard

2020 Sampling Project

We sampled 400 water systems, 15 firefighting districts, 152 groundwater sources, and 71 surface water sources. 25% of the drinking water systems that participated in the 2020 sampling project had some level of PFOA and/or PFOS chemicals detected in their treated drinking water. We are coordinating with these systems to retest and identify current levels through our PFAS Grant Program. For information on specific samples, please visit the department’s public water systems dashboard.

Learn more

We offered free testing to public drinking water systems and fire districts with wells. We took samples from:

  • Treated drinking water from public water systems.
  • Groundwater and surface water sources used for drinking water.
  • Wells serving fire districts.

Samples were then tested for these chemicals to help communities learn about potential risks. We encourage water systems to share their results with their customers.

This dashboard only reflects public water systems that signed up for the 2020 Sampling Project. Systems without test results on this dashboard may have already sampled for these chemicals or plan on doing their own sampling.

We encourage systems to contact us if they have sampled for PFAS recently or plan to sample soon. 

Map of results

2020 Discharge Permit Survey

To better understand potential risks of these chemicals making their way into Colorado waters, we required facilities with discharge-related permits to respond to a survey in 2020. 193 facilities self-reported a known or suspected presence of these chemicals.

Learn more

We surveyed facilities permitted to release treated wastewater, water used for manufacturing, and other similar activities into local waterways. The survey asked about the use and storage of certain products containing these chemicals.

The results help us better understand the use of these chemicals and risks to state waters. We can also determine if specific permits may need PFAS monitoring.

 

The map shows the locations of facilities that reported on the PFAS survey that they: use or store AFFF or Class B firefighting foam or other PFAS-containing materials; are within proximity to where AFFF is likely used; and/or have potential PFAS passing through their wastewater treatment plant. 

  • The facilities' locations are based on the latitude and longitude coordinates listed on their department permits. This may not reflect the actual location of the facility or permit location. For example, the municipal storm sewer permit usually covers the entire city area. The latitude and longitude may reflect the center of that area or be located near the permitted area.
  • To view more information about a particular facility, click on the marker.

Please note that ArcGIS software has a character limit on what can be displayed. Please use the department’s PFAS discharge survey results map guide to understand what each row means when selecting a point to view more information about it. The character limit cuts off some of the words in longer responses submitted for the survey, but you can find the entire response on our spreadsheet of facilities with known or suspected PFAS presence.

In July 2020, the Water Quality Control Commission adopted the department's proposed PFAS Narrative Policy, Policy 20-1.

The PFAS Narrative Policy describes how the department will regulate these chemicals in Colorado lakes, streams, and other waters. For more information, please review the department’s Policy 20-1 fact sheet, which includes monitoring for these chemicals and setting limits for discharge permits. The department has started the process of monitoring and setting limits for discharge permits, and we will periodically update the list of permits and permit certifications with current and proposed PFAS monitoring and limits.

Before proposing Policy 20-1 to the commission, the Water Quality Control Division hosted three stakeholder meetings to gather feedback. The meeting materials are available in this public folder.

Resources for permittees:

  • PFAS sampling guidance from Michigan’s PFAS Action Response Team.
  • Michigan’s recommended PFAS screening and evaluation procedures for industrial pretreatment programs.
  • September 2020 Tools for WWTPs and PFAS source investigation webinar recording and presentation.
  • Overview of PFAS requirements for dewatering.

For more information, contact Jon Wallace (Water Quality Control Division) at jon.wallace@state.co.us; or Al Garcia, Pretreatment Coordinator, USEPA Region 8, garcia.al@epa.gov.

PFAS in fish pilot project

With funding provided by the EPA, we partnered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to learn more about the levels of PFAS in fish in six Colorado waterbodies. These waterbodies will be tested throughout the summer of 2023.

The purpose of this sampling effort is to build upon the 2020 pilot fish sampling project that collected and analyzed fish from three waterbodies with known or suspected PFAS contamination to gather additional data to help us understand how people could be exposed to PFAS through fish.

The department selected the six waterbodies by evaluating factors such as their proximity to known PFAS contamination, proximity to disproportionately impacted communities, and fish species present in the water bodies.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife collected fish from May through June 2023 and sent the tissue samples for analysis.