Five PFAS compounds showed up in Milford's drinking water in 2025, including one which is nearly double a federal limit the city must meet by 2029.
The City of Milford Water Works released its 2025 Annual Water Quality Report covering tests from 2025. The report said all results met Ohio EPA standards. But the report also detected five PFAS compounds, the "forever chemicals" that persist in the environment and do not break down.
Milford participated in the fifth round of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) program in 2025, which tests for PFAS. Five compounds were detected: PFBS at 0.0049 parts per billion, PFHxS at 0.003 ppb, PFHxA at 0.0039 ppb, PFOS at 0.0078 ppb and PFPeA at 0.0052 ppb.
The PFOS reading stands out. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4.0 parts per trillion for PFOS on April 10, 2024. Milford's PFOS level of 7.8 parts per trillion is nearly double that threshold. Ohio EPA has not yet adopted the federal standard, and the compounds remain classified as unregulated in the state. Water systems have until 2029 to comply with the federal rule. A proposed rule announced May 18, 2026, could extend that deadline to 2031.
The report listed all five PFAS compounds as unregulated substances with no violation.
Aquifer vulnerability
Milford draws its drinking water from four wells on the east bank of the Little Miami River, each roughly 50 to 60 feet deep. An Ohio EPA assessment found the aquifer has a high susceptibility to contamination, citing a thin protective layer of clay and shale, a shallow depth of less than 20 feet below ground and significant potential contaminant sources nearby.
Human-made contaminants have already been found in treated water. Volatile organic compounds and nitrate have been detected in Milford's raw and treated water at levels of concern since 1991, the report noted.
The city maintains a wellhead protection plan to reduce future contamination risk.
Other test results
Lead and copper testing at 21 sample sites found no exceedances. The 90th percentile result for copper was 0.004 parts per million, well below the action level of 1.3 ppm. Lead was not detected. Nitrate measured 2.40 ppm against a limit of 10 ppm. Arsenic came in at 0.70 ppb, below the 10 ppb limit.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), a disinfection byproduct, measured 49.5 ppb against a limit of 80 ppb. Haloacetic acids measured 8.3 ppb against a limit of 60 ppb.
Regional context
Neighboring Loveland is already investing in PFAS treatment. The Loveland Beacon reported Aug. 17 that Loveland received $14 million in Ohio EPA financial assistance to build a new PFAS treatment system, part of a project estimated at $17 million. Loveland began its treatment planning in 2023.
Milford's report does not describe any PFAS treatment plans for its own system.
Residents with questions can contact Zachary Robb, water plant supervisor, at 513-831-6819 or City Hall at 513-831-4192. Milford City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month, and meetings are open to the public.
