Reported Presence of "Intersex" Fish in the Potomac River

Special Statement

Reported Presence of “Intersex” Fish in the Potomac River

February 7, 2008

The USGS reported the presence of “intersex” fish in the Potomac River. Fairfax Water wants you to know the following information:

There is no evidence of human health concern. Fairfax Water’s primary objective is the protection of public health through the delivery of high-quality drinking water.
Research has shown that the use of ozone and granular activated carbon are effective in removing broad categories of hormonally active constituents such as those discussed in the article. Fairfax Water uses both ozone and granular activated carbon as part of its multi-barrier approach that also includes coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection.
Fairfax Water, along with other water utilities regionally and nationally, is working to advance the science in the area understanding and treating endocrine disruptors.

Fairfax Water, along with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission and the Washington Aqueduct, founded the Potomac Partnership to study water quality issues in the Potomac watershed.
Fairfax Water, along with many water utilities across the nation, has contributed to and participated with the Water Research Foundation to study endocrine disruptors. To date, the Water Research Foundation has conducted 21 projects totaling approximately $4.9 million.

Fairfax Water will continue to work with regional and national partners to continue to advance the science regarding these issues.

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