PFAS Testing Project
Testing for PFAS in the surface water of Sedgwick County, Kansas.
In an effort to better understand the health of rivers, tributaries, and other waterways in Sedgwick County, the Arkansas River Coalition began collecting water samples to test for PFAS.
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PFAS are persistent “forever chemicals” that accumulate in the environment and human body and are linked to increased cancer risk, immune system impacts, hormone disruption, and developmental issues.
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On April 10, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established the first federal drinking water limits for six PFAS, creating enforceable standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act. (EPA Method 1633) The EPA also provided guidelines in a 2022 health advisory for surface water. Our project tests the surface water.
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Cyclopure offers us a comprehensive and cost-effective test analyzing 55 PFAS compounds, including all EPA Method 1633 compounds, using its DEXSORB® extraction disk technology developed with NIEHS support.
WHAT YOU MUST KNOW BEFORE YOU INTERPRET TEST RESULTS​
The EPA set legally enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for certain PFAS in public drinking water supplies at:
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4 parts per trillion (ppt) each for PFOA and PFOS (the two most studied PFAS), and
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10 ppt each for PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA (GenX).
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EPA also established a Hazard Index MCL of 1 for mixtures of several PFAS to account for combined risk.
​The EPA set guidance in a 2022 health advisory for public surface waters which are FAR more strict than public drinking water to protect people from long-term exposure through drinking water sources and fish consumption. It accounts for consistent exposure duration of aquatic life and leeching into ground water. We are testing surface water and follow this EPA guidance value. (EPA Health Advisory)
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0.004 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA
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0.02 parts per trillion (ppt) For PFOS
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These test results are for public awareness and no other purpose. The Arkansas River Coalition's mission to protect, restore, and defend the Arkansas River and all life it sustains begins with awareness and ends with advocating for the health of the river. These test results are not intended to pinpoint a source or implicate any entity. Our water testing project is currently operated by our Sea Scout Program who support conservation education and awareness. ​
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Sedgwick County PFAS Test Results
October 19, 2025 PFAS Test Results Big Arkansas River
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Site 3: E 31st S we found 4 PFAS in this water sample, with a total concentration of 11.3 ppt.
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Site 4: E 71st St S - Canoe Launch we found 7 PFAS in this water sample, with a total concentration of 29 ppt.
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Site 5: E 83rd St. S Derby we found 8 PFAS in this water sample, with a total concentration of 34.9 ppt.
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November 16, 2025 PFAS Tests on the Big Arkansas & Little Arkansas
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Site 1: Big Ark River - South of W 73rd St. N on N Ridge Rd. We found 1 PFAS in this water sample, with a total concentration of 1.7 ppt.
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Site 5: Big Ark River - E 83rd St. S Derby. We found 8 PFAS in this water sample, with a total concentration of 40.8 ppt.
Site 2: Little Ark River - 9700 blk N Hoover. Good news! This water sample came back “clean”. All 55 PFAS tested measured non-detect.
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In an effort to understand the health and composition of the rivers, tributaries, and bodies of water around Sedgwick County, the Arkansas River Coalition will begin conducting regular PFAS testing and publishing results on our website. Be a part of helping raise awareness of the PFAS issue by sponsoring a Cyclopure PFAS Test Kit.
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Cyclopure provides the most comprehensive and cost-effect PFAS test available with a state-of-the-art analysis of 55 PFAS compounds, including all 40 compounds listed under EPA 1633. The Water Test Kit Pro, developed with funding from the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), captures PFAS in a DEXSORB®-loaded extraction disk.