PFAS Testing and Related Legal Action 

The Village of Oswego has completed four consecutive quarters of sampling its finished drinking water for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, as required under a state mandate. These tests are part of a nationwide initiative to better understand the presence of PFAS in public water systems and ensure continued water quality and safety. 

No PFAS were detected in the first two rounds of testing. However, trace amounts were detected in four different wells during the most recent two rounds: 

February 2025: 

- Well 3, 340 S. Madison St. 

- Well 7, 378 Ogden Falls Blvd. 

May 2025: 

- Well 6, 245 Lennox Drive 

- Well 11, 6701 Tuscany Trail 

All detections were at the lowest end of the measurable range and are well below the levels set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In April 2024, the EPA issued the first national drinking water standard for six PFAS compounds. The standard limits PFOA and PFOS to 4 parts per trillion (ppt), and sets a 10 ppt limit for PFNA, PFHxS, PFBA and GenX chemicals. 

In Oswego’s May testing, Well 6 registered PFOA at 0.0004 ug/L—at the threshold of detection and well below the EPA’s action level. Other compounds detected included PFDA and PFPeA, which are not currently regulated by the EPA. 

As a proactive step, the Village is coordinating additional third-party testing to confirm results and guide any potential next steps. 

In response to growing concerns nationwide about PFAS contamination, the Village Board on June 10 voted to join multi-district litigation related to PFAS in community water supplies. This litigation is part of a broader legal effort that has resulted in a $14 billion settlement involving major manufacturers such as 3M and DuPont. 

“Following PFAS regulatory changes around seven years ago, significant litigation has occurred nationwide, culminating in a $14 billion settlement involving 3M and DuPont,” said Village Administrator Dan Di Santo during the board’s June meeting. “The litigation in question relates to harm incurred as a result of synthetic chemicals that were used in creating firefighting foam and how, over time, these chemicals contaminated water supplies of some municipalities.” 

The Village remains committed to transparency and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. For more details about PFAS, visit the EPA’s website.