Just over two years after the U.S.-based Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released updated advisories regarding some per- and polyfluororalkyl substances (PFAS) — significantly reducing its safe level of the microscopic chemicals in drinking water from the previous standard — Health Canada has followed suit with changes of its own.
While measurements of North Bay's source of drinking water in recent years were often below the existing objective of acceptable PFAS levels, with a new Health Canada objective of 30 nanograms per litre now in place, that is no longer the case.
See below for the City of North Bay's statement on the updated federal drinking water objective.
The guidelines in the U.S. are even more stringent. Earlier this year, the EPA introduced an updated standard for PFAS types PFOA and PFOS of 4 ng/L for drinking water.
PODCAST: 'There is PFAS in our municipal drinking water'
In 2023, parts of Trout Lake, North Bay's source of drinking water, were found in testing by the MECP and the City of North Bay to have PFAS concentrations of 55.5 ng/L. This was below the former MECP recommendation (based on federal guidelines) of 70 ng/L but is above the new 30 ng/L Health Canada benchmark.
From 2017 to 2022, MECP tested PFAS in drinking water quarterly. The average of the quarterly results for North Bay for those five years was 58.1 ng/L with no results exceeding the interim advice value of 70 ng/L in place during that time.
Health Canada states, "Drinking water objectives set out a goal for a maximum level of a contaminant in drinking water, taking into account available treatment technology and analytical methods. They are based on a review of scientific research and consider international regulatory information available at the time of their development. Drinking water objectives are externally peer-reviewed to ensure scientific integrity.
"The objective for PFAS in drinking water represents a precautionary group-based approach. The objective value of 30 ng/L (for the sum total of 25 specific PFAS) was established to reduce exposure to PFAS in drinking water. Where PFAS are detected in drinking water, the management of health risks and communication of the issue, as well as treatment options (if required) should be carefully examined with the stakeholders involved while considering the specifics of each situation."
PFAS are man-made substances found in many consumer and industrial products, including firefighting foam. Past use of North Bay's airport lands for firefighter training between the early 1970s and mid-1990s, while under the ownership of Transport Canada, has been identified as the main source of PFAS on the airport property.
In 2017, testing on Lees Creek showed a waterway polluted with PFAS from the military base located just upstream. The creek empties into Trout Lake just a few hundred yards from the city's drinking water plant. A long-standing drinking water advisory for Lees Creek remains in place, as does a fish consumption advisory for fish from the creek issued by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).
In July 2021, the City of North Bay reached an agreement with the Department of National Defence (DND) that binds the federal government to fund the majority of costs related to the remediation of PFAS at Jack Garland Airport. Those efforts at the Jack Garland Airport are underway. Jacobs, an industry leader in environmental consulting with expertise in water treatment and PFAS remediation, has been retained.
See also: Council passes $20M agreement with DND to clean up leaked chemicals from airport
Those remediation efforts are imminent. The scope of work includes the removal and treatment of the most contaminated soil, the injection of absorptive material in identified hot spots at the site's boundary to treat groundwater before it exits, and the placement of absorptive material at exit locations to prevent PFAS in surface water from downstream migration.
“The development of a PFAS remediation plan has been a complex undertaking that began more than two years ago," said Mayor Peter Chirico. "We are extremely pleased that cleanup efforts at the airport site are now about to get underway. Our priority throughout this process is and has been the health and safety of our residents.”
In March, over 100 people attended a public information session on drinking water pollutants PFAS — also known as forever chemicals — co-hosted by the Trout Lake Conservation Association, Northwatch, and Nipissing Environmental Watch. The hosts shared information and assisted locals in becoming familiar with the issues and terminology related to PFAS and the contamination of Lees Creek and Trout Lake. One of the public forum topics surrounded the water filtration options available to private citizens.
According to Health Canada, "if you do have PFAS in your drinking water, you can remove them by treating your water with a treatment unit or system. You can install:
- an activated carbon filter directly at the tap or where the water enters the house
- a reverse osmosis system at the tap
- an ion exchange system designed for PFAS removal
In June, hundreds of community members attended a public information session co-hosted by the Department of National Defence and the City of North Bay at Memorial Gardens where they shared updates on their efforts to address polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) in North Bay's watercourses.
Health information exists for only a small number of PFAS. What is known is that some PFAS may affect many systems and organs, such as the liver, kidney and thyroid; the immune and nervous systems; development and the reproductive system, metabolism, and body weight.
"The potential health risks from exposure depend on how much and how many of the PFAS you are exposed to and for how long," according to Health Canada. "Each person's specific attributes including their age, habits, and overall health can impact how their body will react to chemical exposures."
City of North Bay Statement on PFAS Drinking Water Objective
Health Canada recently published a new objective for PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in drinking water of 30 nanograms per liter (ng/L) for the total sum of 25 different PFAS compounds.
According to Health Canada, the objective serves as a benchmark for all jurisdictions to aim for, recognizing that achieving it may take time due to the technical complexity and costs associated with measuring and managing PFAS. Health Canada also advises that specific guidance on implementing
drinking water objectives should come from the relevant drinking water authority in each jurisdiction.In Ontario, drinking water standards are established by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). Therefore, any regulatory changes will need to be made by the MECP.
At present, PFAS levels in Trout Lake are below the MECP’s interim advisory value of 70 ng/L for the total sum of 11 types of PFAS. The City of North Bay will continue to look to the MECP for guidance on any potential regulatory changes resulting from Health Canada’s new objective.
The City of North Bay has been proactively preparing for potential regulatory changes related to PFAS in drinking water, anticipating both Health Canada’s newly established objective and in response to evolving guidelines from other jurisdictions.
Our preparation includes ongoing work alongside the PFAS remediation efforts at the Jack Garland Airport lands. This includes exploring enhanced treatment options and engaging in discussions with the Department of National Defence (DND) for funding, similar to our joint efforts on the remediation project.
We remain committed to ensuring that our drinking water meets or exceeds all regulatory standards, and we will continue to keep the public informed as we navigate these changes.
