Western Virginia Water Authority

The Environmental Protection Agency proposed new limits in drinking water for six PFAS compounds, including GEN-X. If the new EPA rules go into effect, all water systems in Virginia would be required to test for PFAS, and might be required to reduce contamination in their water.

A chemical compound, hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid, better known by its trade name of GenX, is still showing up in the Roanoke River. Recent studies have shown that exposure to GenX could cause cancer, and it’s extremely difficult to remove from water.

State environmental regulators and the Western Virginia Water Authority are continuing to test for GenX in the Roanoke River.