Subject:
Title
Board Direction on Notification to Residents Ref: Disclosure of PFAS Contaminant Levels in Drinking Water
End
Fiscal Impact:
NA
Dept/Office:
District 1
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the board direct staff to consider options regarding creation of a dedicated webpage and user notifications of PFAS contaminant levels in drinking water for residents served by Brevard County Utilities.
End
Summary Explanation and Background:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are an emerging class of currently unregulated contaminants that have been detected in water systems nationwide, including in portions of Brevard County. On September 29, 2025, the County received a quarterly PFAS report containing recent testing results and associated recommendations.
While the County is pursuing a long-term treatment solution through a proposed reverse osmosis plant, which is projected to be operational in approximately four or more years (2030 or beyond), there is no short-term remedy available for PFAS results that exceed recommended ranges.
In the interim, transparency and timely communication with utility customers are critical. This agenda item is intended to consider and encourage the County to proactively notify residents of available PFAS monitoring results, provide context regarding health advisories and regulatory status, and consolidate information into a publicly accessible PFAS webpage, consistent with practices implemented by other Florida utility providers. A sample user notification from Temple Terrace is attached to the agenda item.
The proposed webpage would serve as a centralized resource by sharing quarterly monitoring data, explaining PFAS and associated risks, outlining ongoing and planned mitigation efforts, and providing updates related to litigation, funding, and system impacts. Establishing clear notification practices and a dedicated informational website would align Brevard County with peer utilities and support informed decision-making by residents.
Examples of Florida provider web-pages informing residents on risks associated with PFAS:
Orange County: https://www.ocfl.net/WaterGarbageRecycling/PFAS.aspx#Explained <https://www.ocfl.net/WaterGarbageRecycling/PFAS.aspx>
Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU): <https://www.gru.com/Our-Community/Content/Water-Quality/PFAS>
City of Temple Terrace: <https://templeterrace.gov/849/Water-Questions>
Requests of the board:
- Direct the County Manager to evaluate the feasibility of notifying affected utility customers regarding elevated PFAS monitoring results and report back to the Board within the next 30 days.
- Direct the County Manager to evaluate the feasibility of developing and maintaining a dedicated County webpage to inform residents of PFAS monitoring results, health advisory context, and ongoing mitigation efforts, and report back to the Board within the next 30 days.
Clerk to the Board Instructions: