PFAS in the Arkansas River: What Our Latest Tests Reveal in Sedgwick County

In late 2025, the Arkansas River Coalition completed two rounds of independent testing for PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals," at multiple locations along the Arkansas River in Sedgwick County. The results confirmed that PFAS are present in local surface water, with concentrations and chemical diversity varying significantly by location.

Across six samples collected in October and November, PFAS were detected in five of the six locations. Total PFAS concentrations ranged from non-detect to 40.8 parts per trillion (ppt). The highest concentration was measured in Derby at 40.8 ppt, while another upstream site measured 34.9 ppt. The lowest detectable level was 1.7 ppt north of Wichita, and one location on the Little Arkansas River near the City of Sedgwick tested completely clean, with no PFAS detected above the laboratory reporting threshold.

Equally notable was the number of different PFAS compounds present. Some samples contained as many as eight separate PFAS chemicals, highlighting the complex nature of contamination. These compounds included well-known PFAS such as PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS, which have been widely studied due to their persistence and potential health impacts.

PFAS are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not naturally break down in the environment. Instead, they remain present for decades, cycling through water, soil, wildlife, and people. Over time, PFAS accumulate in the body, which is why even very small concentrations are taken seriously by scientists and regulators.

Federal health guidance reflects this concern. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal of zero for two of the most studied PFAS, PFOA and PFOS, meaning there is no known exposure level without potential health risk.  These chemicals have been associated with increased cancer risk, immune system effects, hormonal disruption, and developmental impacts.

One of the most important findings from this testing was the variation between locations. While some areas showed measurable PFAS concentrations, others showed little or none. This contrast demonstrates that PFAS contamination is not uniform and can vary greatly even within the same river system. Tests conducted north of Wichita returned lower PFAS values than tests downstream and

south of the city. The highest test result of 40.8 ppt is 10 times higher than what's regulated in drinking water and 10,000 times higher than the EPA health advisory for surface water. This is a staggering result which identifies human activity as a source.

The presence of PFAS in surface water does not mean immediate harm, but it does provide valuable insight into the long-term condition of our waterways. Rivers play an important role in the broader water cycle, supporting ecosystems, recreation, and downstream water supplies.

At the same time, the fact that one site tested completely clean provides an encouraging reminder that not all areas are affected equally. Continued monitoring helps build a clearer picture of environmental conditions and allows changes to be tracked over time.

These findings represent an important first step in understanding PFAS in Sedgwick County’s waterways. They provide a snapshot of current conditions and help establish a baseline for future testing. As awareness of PFAS continues to grow nationwide, local testing efforts like these help ensure our community remains informed about the health of one of its most important natural resources, the Arkansas River.

Our next round of tests includes 19 different test sites collected in one day around Sedgwick County. This will give us a complete one day snapshot.

You can support our efforts by sponsoring a PFAS test kit. These sponsorships allow us to continue our PFAS testing efforts to advocate for the health of the Arkansas River and all life it sustains. You can view our PFAS lab results here

One Cyclopure PFAS test kit is $80. You can sponsor a test kit here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/sponsor-a-pfas-water-test-kit