Montgomery's drinking water tests well below the federal limit for PFAS, the synthetic "forever chemicals" linked to serious health risks, according to a new assessment from the city's Environmental Advisory Commission.
Some water districts in Southwest Ohio have measured PFAS levels at three to four times the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) maximum, the commission said. Montgomery's supply does not have that problem.
The city gets its water from Greater Cincinnati Water Works' (GCWW) Richard Miller Treatment Plant, which draws from the Ohio River and runs it through granular activated carbon (GAC) filters. That process keeps PFAS concentrations "well below the upper limit of 4 parts per trillion," according to the assessment, written by commission member Ron Messer and published Sept. 25.
The 4-parts-per-trillion standard applies to PFOA and PFOS, two of the most common PFAS compounds. The EPA finalized that limit in April 2024. In May 2025, the agency kept the PFOA and PFOS standards in place while proposing to rescind limits on other PFAS compounds. Public water systems nationwide have until 2027 to complete initial monitoring and until 2029 to implement treatment where levels exceed the standard.
GCWW says it operates one of the largest GAC facilities in the country. The carbon filtration system at the Richard Miller plant was built in 1992 and contains 12 filters that capture organic substances, according to Fox 19. GCWW serves more than 1 million customers across the region.
The assessment did not cite a specific measured PFAS level for Montgomery's water or name which Southwest Ohio districts exceed the EPA threshold.
What residents can do
The commission offered three steps to reduce personal PFAS exposure at home:
- Choose products labeled PFAS-free for water-resistant clothing, raincoats and athletic wear.
- Avoid non-stick Teflon cookware.
- Cut back on grease-resistant paper found in fast-food containers, microwave popcorn bags and food wrappers.
"Forever chemicals have been with us for a long time … but with increased awareness and reduced exposure, we can begin the long process of eliminating PFAS risk," Messer wrote in the assessment.
The Environmental Advisory Commission meets next on Oct. 13 at 5 p.m. at Montgomery City Hall, 10101 Montgomery Road. Residents can reach Clerk of Council Connie Gaylor at (513) 792-8314 or [email protected].
