Florence is making strides towards meeting a federal mandate requiring U.S. water systems to test and treat water for “forever chemicals”.
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued an unfunded mandate that requires all public water systems in the U.S. to be able to detect and limit “forever chemicals” known as PFAS.
“We have got until 2031 to get this in place,” said Florence Wastewater Manager Tad Cole. “We are being proactive versus reactive. Our goal is to be up and running way ahead of the 2031 deadline.”
The deadline EPA mandate has been moved from its original timeline of 2027 up to 2031. The project requires the construction of a new water treatment facility that is expected to cost $135 million. The project is currently in the designing and engineering phase of development.
PFAS is a family of chemicals that have a variety of industrial uses, and are commonly found in many consumer goods because of these uses. Research suggests that in spite of these benefits, exposure to PFAS may be linked to reproductive health concerns, developmental delays in children, increased risk of some cancers, reduced immune system ability and more.
One of the most prominent producers of some of these substances historically, 3M, has a plant upstream from the Shoals in Decatur. In 2022, the company announced plans to exit the use of all PFAS in its products by the end of this last year.
PFAS are notorious for easily building up in people, animals and the environment. They also take a very long time to break down. The current water treatment systems in place utilize traditional methods for making water potable. Unfortunately, none of the traditional methods are able to remove PFAS.
In order to address the problem, Florence and many other municipalities are turning to reverse osmosis water treatment systems to remove the PFAS from their water sources. This will be the method used by Florence’s planned facility to address the issue.
In pilot studies, the reverse osmosis method has been able to reduce PFAS levels by 98%, according to Cole.
Cole said that the city will likely have to borrow money from the bond market in order to build the plant. To pay these loans off, water rates for customers of Florence Utilities will have to rise.
The project is one of the biggest items on Florence Mayor Ron Tyler’s agenda for his inaugural term leading the city of Florence.
The Shoals native was elected to the office of the mayor in November of last year, and recently wrapped up his first 90 days in office. In that time, Tyler has been off to a slow start, but is laying a strong foundation to continue to push Florence into further growth.
“We want to be sure we’re being responsible stewards of people’s taxpayer dollars,” Tyler said. “What we’re working through right now is coming up with a priority list of what needs our attention right now.”
The new water facility is one of these needs.
“This community could do a whole lot of really good economic development and road paving with $135 million,” Tyler said. “It is not sexy and fun having to spend $135 million on a water treatment plant.”
