Elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate found in fish from Northern Virginia waterway that supplies drinking water to 2 million residents.
By Sarah Okafor | The Commonwealth Wire
The Virginia Department of Health is advising residents to avoid consuming largemouth bass and channel catfish caught in the Occoquan Watershed in Northern Virginia after testing revealed elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a potentially harmful chemical compound.
The consumption advisory affects waterways in Prince William, Fairfax and Loudoun counties that feed into the Occoquan Reservoir, which provides drinking water to approximately 2 million residents across the region.
PFOS belongs to a class of synthetic chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down naturally and can accumulate in the environment and human body over time. Long-term exposure to PFOS has been linked to increased cholesterol levels, decreased vaccine response in children, and increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer.
“We are taking this precautionary step to protect public health while we continue to monitor the situation,” said Dr. Karen Remley, state health commissioner. “The levels detected exceed our safety thresholds for regular consumption.”
The contamination was discovered during routine fish tissue sampling conducted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality in partnership with the Department of Health. Testing showed PFOS concentrations in largemouth bass and channel catfish that exceeded the state’s fish consumption advisory trigger level of 8 parts per billion.
Other fish species in the watershed, including bluegill and crappie, showed lower contamination levels and are not currently subject to the consumption advisory.
The Fairfax Water Authority, which operates treatment facilities on the Occoquan River, said drinking water from the reservoir remains safe for consumption. The authority’s advanced treatment processes are designed to remove PFAS compounds before water reaches customers’ taps.
“Our drinking water continues to meet all federal and state safety standards,” said Fairfax Water spokesman Charles Murray. “We regularly test for PFAS and other contaminants.”
State environmental officials are investigating potential sources of the PFOS contamination. Industrial discharge, wastewater treatment plants, and stormwater runoff from areas where PFAS-containing products were used are among the possible contributors being examined.
The advisory does not prohibit fishing in the Occoquan Watershed, but officials recommend catch-and-release practices for bass and catfish. Anglers who choose to keep other fish species should limit consumption and follow existing guidelines for fish preparation that can reduce chemical exposure.
Residents with questions about the consumption advisory can contact the Virginia Department of Health’s environmental health services division at 804-864-8182. The department plans to continue monitoring fish tissue levels quarterly and will update consumption recommendations based on future testing results.
Key Facts
- Virginia health officials advise against eating largemouth bass and channel catfish from Occoquan Watershed due to elevated PFOS levels
- The watershed serves Prince William, Fairfax and Loudoun counties and provides drinking water to 2 million Northern Virginia residents
- PFOS levels in affected fish exceeded the state’s consumption advisory trigger of 8 parts per billion
- Drinking water from the Occoquan Reservoir remains safe after treatment processes remove contaminants
- Other fish species including bluegill and crappie are not subject to the consumption advisory
