Tacoma residents who get their tap water from groundwater wells are likely headed for treatment upgrades aimed at removing PFAS, a class of synthetic "forever chemicals" linked to cancer and other health problems.

The utility says it anticipates treatment will be needed and is now evaluating options.

Kim DeFolo, principal engineer at Tacoma Water, presented a PFAS Treatment Evaluation Update to the Tacoma City Council's Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability Committee on July 22.

The informational report, filed as City of Tacoma File No. 26-0602, is the first PFAS treatment item to appear on the committee's Legistar agenda.

What PFAS are and why they matter here

PFAS are synthetic chemicals found in products from nonstick cookware to firefighting foam. They persist in the environment and the human body; the EPA has linked exposure to cancers, thyroid problems, and developmental effects in children.

The EPA finalized the first nationwide PFAS drinking water standards in 2024, setting a maximum contaminant level of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS.

In May 2026, the agency proposed keeping those limits but extending the compliance deadline from 2029 to 2031. That extension has not been finalized.

What Tacoma Water's plan says

Tacoma Water's 2025 Water System Plan Amendment, published in August 2025, states that the utility "anticipates PFAS Treatment will be needed for some or all groundwater supply."

General costs are included in the Capital Improvement Plan, but the utility says those figures will be updated once specific treatment needs are identified.

No Tacoma-specific cost estimate or PFAS detection level has been made public. The presentation slides and video from the July 22 meeting are listed as "not available" on the city's Legistar page.

The utility's primary surface source is the Green River, served by the Green River Filtration Facility. The groundwater wells are the focus of the PFAS evaluation.

Three EPA-recognized treatment technologies exist for PFAS removal: granular activated carbon, ion exchange resin, and reverse osmosis.

Federal funding context

Washington state received $22.5 million in FY 2026 federal funding for 21 water projects, including PFAS remediation, according to an announcement by U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell in January 2026. Tacoma was not among the named recipients.

What happens next

No PFAS follow-up item appears on the committee's published agenda for its next three meetings: Wednesday, August 12; Wednesday, August 26; or Wednesday, September 9.

The July 22 presentation was informational, not a vote. Any capital spending or rate changes tied to PFAS treatment would require approval through Tacoma's biennial budget process and a final vote by the full City Council.

How to weigh in

Residents can contact the Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability Committee through the Tacoma City Council's office or reach Tacoma Water directly at myTPU.org.

Committee meetings are open to the public, and agendas are posted on the city's Legistar page.