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Active · Investigation · Reviewed November 13, 2026

Waterworks PFAS: test results, treatment pilot and capital spending

Overview

Waterworks reported 2025 PFOS results from 3.7 to 4.9 parts per trillion in its primary-system summary. Council appropriated $3 million for PFAS compliance, and the adopted five-year plan lists $28 million. The case follows monitoring, treatment performance and actual spending.

Background & source notes

The primary Waterworks system serves Newport News and neighboring jurisdictions. The annual report also covers Lightfoot under a separate system. This case uses the primary-system PFAS table and traces its results to the treatment pilot, the approved capital plan and the federal compliance calculation.

The public report gives ranges and maxima. Quarterly results by entry point are needed to reproduce any running annual average. For the capital work, follow the bond appropriation through the pilot award, treatment decision, construction and commissioned performance.

Source notes and limitations

The published 2025 maximum describes the reported sample range. Quarterly compliance is evaluated using the applicable EPA method and timetable. The City’s treatment appropriations and pilot notice do not establish test performance, an extension or the ultimate cost.

Case details

Page options

Where things stand

Updated

Reviewed finding

Waterworks reports a PFOS maximum of 4.9 ppt in 2025

November 13, 2026

The primary-system table shows PFOS at 3.7–4.9 ppt and PFOA at 2.1–3.3 ppt. EPA sets a 4.0 ppt limit for each and evaluates quarterly monitoring using a running annual average for each entry point. The maximum is a reason to inspect the sample series and regulator’s calculation.

Source 1 · Primary-system table titled 2025 Perfluorinated and Polyfluorinated Alkyl SubstancesSource 2 · Maximum contaminant levels and entry-point running annual average

Open question

What are the current PFAS averages at each entry point?

Dated lab results by entry point, reporting limits, QA documentation, quarterly averages, compliance calculations and any notices or determinations.

View all 3 open questions

Published monitoring and treatment funding 3

The 2025 report gives concentrations, EPA supplies the compliance method, and City records identify authorized and planned funding.

Go to the data tables

Waterworks reports a PFOS maximum of 4.9 ppt in 2025

The primary-system table shows PFOS at 3.7–4.9 ppt and PFOA at 2.1–3.3 ppt. EPA sets a 4.0 ppt limit for each and evaluates quarterly monitoring using a running annual average for each entry point. The maximum is a reason to inspect the sample series and regulator’s calculation.

Council funded early PFAS work and the capital plan lists $28 million

Council appropriated $3 million in August 2025. The adopted FY2027–FY2031 capital plan lists a $28 million revenue-bond schedule. The City’s Lee Hall pilot solicitation identifies a concrete procurement to trace to awards and testing.

The EPA’s 2031 option is still a proposal

EPA’s May 2026 proposal would give qualifying systems a route to request a two-year exemption while keeping both limits at 4.0 ppt. The operative federal deadline and any approved utility-specific extension determine the schedule to test.

2025 Waterworks primary-system sample summary
CompoundPublished range (ppt)Published maximum (ppt)EPA limit (ppt)
PFOS3.7–4.94.94.0
PFOA2.1–3.33.34.0

For quarterly monitoring, compare the applicable limit with the running annual average by entry point. The public table summarizes a range.

Adopted PFAS capital plan by fiscal year
Fiscal yearPlanned water revenue bonds
2027$1,000,000
2028$2,000,000
2029$6,000,000
2030$9,000,000
2031$10,000,000
Five-year total$28,000,000

These amounts are from the adopted capital plan. Track actual encumbrances and expenditures to the ledger and reconcile the earlier $3 million appropriation separately.

Timeline 7

Dates follow the cited records; document dates are labeled separately.

  1. 2019 · start of screening reported by Waterworks

    The utility says it began screening source and treated water

    Waterworks reports PFAS screening since 2019 and says PFOS has sometimes been slightly above the benchmark. The full lab series is needed to identify timing, entry points and comparable trends.

  2. 2024-04-26 · federal rule published

    EPA sets 4.0 ppt levels for PFOA and PFOS

    EPA’s final-rule guidance describes 4.0 parts per trillion for each compound and explains running annual averages at each entry point for quarterly monitoring. Its original compliance timetable calls for April 2029.

  3. August 12, 2025

    Council appropriates $3 million for the PFAS Compliance Project

    Resolution 13888-25 appropriates Waterworks revenue-bond funding. A project ledger is needed to identify commitments, invoices, payments and available balance.

  4. 2025 test year · published Waterworks report

    The primary-system table shows PFOS up to 4.9 ppt

    Waterworks reports PFOS from 3.7 to 4.9 ppt and PFOA from 2.1 to 3.3 ppt. The summary does not identify the quarterly series needed to calculate the running annual average at each entry point.

  5. 2026-03-24 · solicitation notice

    The City solicits a Lee Hall treatment pilot

    IFB 26-3414-3103 identifies a granular activated carbon pilot at Lee Hall. The City’s May planning material describes pilot testing, alternatives and preliminary engineering. Award, installation and results remain open.

  6. FY2027–FY2031 adopted capital plan

    The five-year plan lists $28 million in water revenue bonds

    The PFAS line schedules $1 million, $2 million, $6 million, $9 million and $10 million across those fiscal years. Reconcile fiscal-year commitments and earlier project authorizations before combining amounts.

  7. May 18, 2026

    EPA proposes an optional route to a 2031 deadline

    EPA proposes retaining the PFOA and PFOS limits and allowing qualifying systems to request two more years. Confirm the applicable final deadline and any City-specific exemption with the regulator.

Documents 8

Search this case’s document text

8 of 8 reviewed records. Source links, source collections and release indexes are identified separately from archived copies.

  • OtherSource link

    Waterworks annual drinking-water quality report — 2025 test results

    City of Newport News · Waterworks - Public UtilitiesDocument date: Date not specified

    Combined primary-system and Lightfoot-system reports, including expanded water-quality test tables.

    Why this record matters

    Waterworks reports a PFOS maximum of 4.9 ppt in 2025: The primary-system table shows PFOS at 3.7–4.9 ppt and PFOA at 2.1–3.3 ppt. EPA sets a 4.0 ppt limit for each and evaluates quarterly monitoring using a running annual average for each entry point. The maximum is a reason to inspect the sample series and regulator’s calculation.

    Source notes

    Official 27-page combined report currently identifies tests from 2025, although the URL slug says 2024. Exact issue date not established. Dynamic document ID may be replaced with a later edition; the visible cover controls the reporting year. Verified against the official publisher October 8, 2026.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Policies & proceduresSource link

    EPA quick reference guide for PFAS compliance determination

    Federal agencies · Environmental Protection AgencyDocument date: Date not specified

    EPA explains the 4.0 parts-per-trillion levels for PFOA and PFOS and how quarterly monitoring feeds running annual averages by entry point.

    Source notes

    Guidance explains the final 2024 rule and its original timetable. Review current rulemaking and utility-specific determinations separately.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Budget & financeSource link

    Waterworks PFAS compliance appropriation, Resolution 13888-25

    City of Newport News · City Council / Waterworks - Public UtilitiesDocument date: August 12, 2025

    Council appropriated $3 million from FY2026 Waterworks water revenue bond authorization for the PFAS Compliance Project.

    Why this record matters

    Council funded early PFAS work and the capital plan lists $28 million: Council appropriated $3 million in August 2025. The adopted FY2027–FY2031 capital plan lists a $28 million revenue-bond schedule. The City’s Lee Hall pilot solicitation identifies a concrete procurement to trace to awards and testing.

    Source notes

    Numbered signed City resolution. The appropriation is a funding action. Award, invoices and spending are tracked separately.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Budget & financeSource link

    FY 2027 - FY 2031 Adopted CIP - Final

    City of Newport News · Budget and EvaluationDocument date: Date not specified

    Capital improvements planning document published by the City of Newport News.

    Source notes

    City of Newport News Document Center: Budget & Evaluation / Capital Improvements Plan. Document ID 44461. City listing: last uploaded Apr 17, 2026; size 2935 KB. Checked October 1, 2026. Upload date is not the document issue date. The source link opens the City’s maintained copy.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Contracts & purchasingSource link

    Lee Hall granular activated carbon pilot, IFB 26-3414-3103

    City of Newport News · Waterworks - Public Utilities / Office of PurchasingDocument date: March 24, 2026

    A copy of the City’s eVA notice identifies the Lee Hall treatment pilot and links the official OpenGov solicitation.

    Source notes

    Public mirror of a City posting notice. It supplies the solicitation identifier and the link to procurement.opengov.com/portal/nnva/projects/248760. Award and testing outcomes remain to be verified.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Policies & proceduresSource link

    EPA’s 2026 proposed PFOA and PFOS compliance extension

    Federal agencies · Environmental Protection AgencyDocument date: May 18, 2026

    EPA proposes retaining both 4.0 ppt limits and allowing eligible systems to request two additional years to comply.

    Why this record matters

    The EPA’s 2031 option is still a proposal: EPA’s May 2026 proposal would give qualifying systems a route to request a two-year exemption while keeping both limits at 4.0 ppt. The operative federal deadline and any approved utility-specific extension determine the schedule to test.

    Source notes

    Proposal reviewed November 13, 2026. An extension would depend on a final rule and an applicable approved exemption.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Budget & financeSource link

    Grissom Library: $5.8 million line in the May 2026 capital-appropriation agenda table

    City of Newport News · Budget and Evaluation / City CouncilDocument date: May 12, 2026

    The FY2027 capital-appropriation proposal includes a $5,800,000 Grissom Library line in its project table.

    Why this record matters

    Use the separate Implement PFAS Compliance Measures entry in the May 12 planning and design material.

    Source notes

    Physical packet page 43 contains the Grissom line in the appropriation ordinance proposal; pages 43–47 contain that draft ordinance. Reviewed October 25, 2026. Actual adoption is supported separately by the minutes and passed ordinance. The scanned final project table was not independently text-compared. Source-only official link.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

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Open questions 3

  • What are the current PFAS averages at each entry point?

    Dated lab results by entry point, reporting limits, QA documentation, quarterly averages, compliance calculations and any notices or determinations.

    Likely custodian: Waterworks Laboratory, Virginia Department of Health and EPA

    Reproduce the compliance measure and determine how results changed after the 2025 report.

    Submit this record

  • What did the Lee Hall pilot demonstrate?

    Bid tab, award or cancellation, executed contract, acceptance, pilot protocol, media performance over time, disposal assumptions and selected treatment alternative.

    Likely custodian: Waterworks Engineering and City Purchasing

    Verify the evidence behind the full-scale design and expected operating cost.

    Submit this record

  • How will Waterworks fund and deliver treatment by the applicable deadline?

    Approved schedule, project ledger, bond draws, any state or federal funding, plant-level construction and operating budgets, and any regulator-approved exemption.

    Likely custodian: Waterworks Finance and Engineering, City Budget, Virginia Department of Health

    Reconcile the five-year plan and spending and check whether commissioning precedes the applicable deadline.

    Submit this record