The Madison Water Utility says it can effectively remove toxic “forever chemicals” from a contaminated East Side well for as little as $136,000 per year, though the utility is continuing to evaluate its options.
That’s significantly less than the cost of other filtration technology evaluated.
The utility commissioned Madison-based consultant TRC Environmental to evaluate treatment options for Well 15 on East Washington Avenue, which was shut down in 2019 after tests showed elevated levels of PFAS, likely the result of groundwater contamination from the nearby airport.
The report studied two filtration technologies, granular activated carbon and ion exchange resin, and concluded the carbon filtration would be most cost-effective. Estimated operating costs for the systems ranged from $48,000 to $733,000 per year, depending on the level of contamination and desired outcomes.
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The Department of Natural Resources this week notified the company that it violated two sections of state code by waiting more than 15 months to report the leak.
While both technologies filtered PFAS to levels that state health officials consider safe for human consumption, the carbon system also removes two volatile organic compounds, tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE), that are present in Well 15 but currently treated with a different system.
Water quality manager Joe Grande said the recommended treatment system would cost about $670,000 to install and could do the job for $136,000 to $300,000 per year, depending on the level of PFAS contamination allowed.
The lower-range estimate would effectively remove 90% of all PFAS and meet the proposed state health standard of 20 parts per trillion for two compounds, PFOA and PFOS. The higher estimate would eliminate 90% of each individual PFAS compound.
The funding came from the state’s annual allocation of $105 million in federal low-income energy assistance. The state expects to receive about $110 million in additional energy assistance funding this year.
Last year the utility said PFAS had been detected in each of its 22 wells, though none were above the state’s proposed drinking water standards for the two most studied compounds.
Utility spokeswoman Amy Deming said the board is still in the process of evaluating the cost-effectiveness of treating water from Well 15 or other alternatives, such as drilling a new well or reducing demand.
Madison's Bayview community, today and tomorrow
Longtime resident Vankahm Souannoy waters her garden beside her townhome in the Bayview community.
Bayview teacher and staff member Nanceny Fanny converses with visitors to the neighborhood’s community center in Madison, Wis. Wednesday, April 21, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Vankahm Souannoy visits with Bayview community visitors and friends outside her residence in the Madison, Wis. community Wednesday, April 21, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Narrow corridors between buildings in the Bayview community cramp and conceal entrances to some residences in the Madison, Wis. community Friday, April 23, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Bayview community resident PaoSoua Xiong cooks a mixture of onions and garlic on the porch of her residence in the Madison, Wis. community Wednesday, April 21, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
A young boy plays outside his family’s residence in the Bayview community of Madison, Wis. Wednesday, April 21, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Bayview community resident Nina Okwali, left, and Alexis London, executive director of the Bayview Foundation, visit outside Okwali’s residence. In the spring, the nonprofit will begin a phased $50 million redevelopment of its property that serves a diverse mix of low-income residents, bringing new housing, a community center and many other improvements.
An array of international flags hangs in the Bayview Community Center, which serves residents from many different cultures, backgrounds and generations.
Artwork adds color to the Bayview community’s outdoor surroundings. The coming redevelopment will incorporate public art throughout the project
Bayview community resident Angela Powell chats with visitors to the community in Madison, Wis. Wednesday, April 21, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
The Bayview Foundation's redevelopment features new apartment buildings at the intersections of West Washington Avenue and the new La Mariposa Lane, lower right, and West Washington Avenue and Regent Street, top.
The redevelopment will feature a full basketball court next to an 11,000-square-foot community center.
Public art, porches and gardens are incorporated into the design of new townhouses and throughout the redevelopment.
The redevelopment will include a four-story, 48-unit apartment building.
Chris Hubbuch | Wisconsin State Journal
Covers energy and the environment for the Wisconsin State Journal. Rhymes with Lubbock. Contact him at 608-252-6146.
