New data from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality shows PFAS “forever chemicals” are turning up in groundwater around landfills across the state, sometimes at levels thousands of times higher than the federal drinking water limit.

“There are some high observations,” said Adam Ulishney, deputy director with the Division of Waste Management, during a presentation to the state’s Environmental Management Commission on Tuesday. 

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Landfills in every corner of the state were required to test their groundwater for a group of toxic chemicals known as PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These chemicals are found in nonstick pans, fast food wrappers, firefighting foam and other products. They don’t easily break down in the environment or the human body and have been linked to adverse health impacts.

All active and closed landfills in North Carolina submitted test results to the state, including data on eight PFAS compounds that have federal or state health-based standards. Among them are PFOA and PFOS, the most widely studied types of PFAS, both of which now have an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maximum contaminant level of 4 parts per trillion in drinking water.

At some North Carolina landfills, those chemicals showed up at concentrations more than 4,000 times that limit.

“The vast majority of groundwater at the landfill facilities [exceeds] the 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS,” Ulishney said.

While the groundwater monitoring wells don’t represent tap water results, officials are concerned contaminated groundwater could migrate toward private drinking water wells, which are not routinely tested or regulated.

North Carolina ranks second in the nation for the percentage of residents who rely on well water, about 35%.

To address potential risks, DEQ sent regulatory letters to 20 landfill operators requiring updated “receptor surveys” to identify nearby drinking water sources. During his presentation, Ulishney showed a map dotted with blue points—each one a private well near a landfill.

So far, nine landfills have determined private well testing is needed. If contamination is confirmed, the facilities may be required to provide alternate water and begin cleanup.

The data comes from PFAS testing at monitoring wells of varying depths—from shallow to deep aquifers. While many active landfills are lined to prevent leaks, officials say that’s not always enough. Older, unlined landfills still pose risks, especially if there were past leaks or poor leachate management.

The Alamance County Landfill reported some of the highest PFAS levels in the state, with PFOS nearly 3,000 times and PFOA more than 1,700 times the EPA’s drinking water limit. Henderson and Pitt counties also had elevated detections. In Wake County, PFOS reached 22 parts per trillion—over five times the federal limit. In Johnston County, it climbed to 164 ppt, more than 40 times the limit.

The DEQ said a second round of regulatory letters will be sent based on the initial findings.