DEP responds to questions concerning Briar Creek (Columbia Co.) fish consumption advisory and PFOS contamination concerns

​Last weekend, reports came out from the PA Fish and Boat Commission and Department of Environmental Protection about fish consumption advisories related to PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), one of several compounds known collectively as "forever chemicals" that have been tied back to a variety of health issues. 

One specifically in our watershed is reportedly on Briar Creek in Columbia County. We reached out to both agencies and the following Q&A was sent back to us by the DEP's Northcentral Region Communications Manager, Megan Lehman:

DEP 1.  How was the PFOS situation discovered in the creek? How high were levels found in fish in the creek and have you noticed any PFOS or PFAS levels in surrounding waterways? 

​DEP response: Surface water samples and fish tissue samples were collected by DEP subsequent to the PFAS contamination found in water supply wells and soils. PFOS was found in sampled fish tissue above the 0.04 parts per million, which meets the “do not eat” advisory level. The “Do Not Eat” advisory extends to all species of fish for Briar Creek, West Branch Briar Creek, and portions of East Branch Briar Creek downstream of Briar Creek Reservoir due to high PFOS levels. The Briar Creek advisory does not include Briar Creek Reservoir and those portions of East Branch Briar Creek upstream of the reservoir.

2.  What potential sources have been investigated for the PFOS levels in the Briar Creek fish and what process is being used to identify the source? 

DEP response: The source of contamination in the Briar Creek watershed is believed to be associated with the PFAS contamination under investigation as part of DEP’s North Centre Township HSCA investigation. This DEP investigation continues, and it is too early to definitively identify all potential sources. DEP’s initial focus was on identifying the extent of impacts to residential water supply wells and mitigating human exposure by providing bottled water and treatment systems for impacted water supply wells.  In addition to the groundwater sampling, the HSCA investigation also included soil sampling of potential areas of concern.

3.  What should people be looking out for concerning PFOS in the area and is this related to the PFAS concerns at the Brookside Mobile Home Park near Bloomsburg that was reported on last year around this time? 

DEP response: The public is recommended to follow the advisory and avoid consuming fish from the affected waterways.  Catch and release fishing is allowed.  As stated above, the source of contamination in the Briar Creek watershed is believed to be associated with the PFAS contamination under investigation as part of DEP’s North Centre Township HSCA investigation.

​Riverkeeper: See this story for more background on the PFAS concerns in North Centre Township. At that time, DEP suggested the source was related to biosolids from sewage used as fertilizer on local farm fields in the 1980s. 

4.  Do you have any investigative reports or other documents I can share publicly? 

DEP response: The fish consumption advisory is part of the larger North Centre Township HSCA investigation. Please refer to the investigation web page: www.dep.pa.gov/northcentre for more information about the ongoing PFAS investigation, including groundwater and soil test results and locations.  The page is updated regularly as new information is available to share.

Riverkeeper: This is an ongoing situation in which we are still gathering information and following up on the PFAS concerns. We are also working on a broader story element on biosolids and PFAS contamination concerns with various individuals that have reached out. If you have specific questions or updates about this situation, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or 570-768-6300.