PFAS Released During High-Pressure Power Washing Of Building Facades

Water Contamination Lawsuit News

New evidence shows power washing building exteriors can release PFAS into runoff, allowing long-lasting chemicals to enter storm drains and waterways

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 - High-pressure power washing is widely used to clean office towers, apartment buildings, schools, and shopping centers, but new research suggests this routine maintenance practice may be releasing PFAS into the environment. Many exterior walls, sealants, paints, and water-repellent coatings applied to buildings contain fluorinated compounds designed to resist stains, moisture, and pollution. When pressurized water strikes these surfaces, microscopic particles and dissolved residues are stripped away and carried off in runoff. This contaminated water typically flows into nearby storm drains or directly onto the surrounding soil. For residents already researching a PFAS drinking water lawsuit or considering whether to consult a PFAS drinking water cancer lawyer, the idea that routine facade cleaning could affect local water quality is unsettling. Power washing is often done repeatedly throughout the year, especially in dense urban areas, meaning PFAS release can happen again and again. The problem is not limited to older buildings either, since newer construction often uses advanced coatings that rely on fluorinated chemistry for durability. Once washed away, PFAS do not break down naturally and can migrate through drainage systems into streams, groundwater recharge zones, or municipal water supplies. As cities emphasize clean streets and attractive buildings, the unintended consequences of aggressive exterior washing are beginning to draw closer attention.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS compounds are extremely persistent in water and can move long distances once released into stormwater systems. The agency has noted that runoff from urban surfaces often bypasses wastewater treatment entirely, flowing directly into rivers and creeks without filtration. Sampling conducted near areas with frequent power washing activity has detected elevated PFAS levels in stormwater outfalls and sediments downstream from cleaned structures. The EPA warns that coatings used on concrete, glass, and masonry can slowly shed PFAS over time, and high-pressure water accelerates this process. When building maintenance crews rinse sidewalks, windows, and walls simultaneously, contaminated water spreads across large surface areas and enters multiple drainage points. Environmental scientists also point out that vacuum recovery systems are rarely used during routine power washing, allowing runoff to escape freely. In areas with combined sewer systems, stormwater mixed with PFAS can overflow during heavy rain, sending pollutants directly into surface waters. These findings are prompting regulators to examine whether building maintenance practices should be treated as a regulated discharge rather than a simple cleaning activity.

Cities and property managers may need to rethink how exterior cleaning is performed. Some contractors are beginning to adopt low-pressure washing methods or capture-and-filter systems that collect runoff before it reaches storm drains. Others are experimenting with biodegradable surface treatments that do not rely on fluorinated chemistry in the first place. Municipalities may consider updating permits to require containment or filtration when power washing large structures, particularly near waterways or drinking water sources. Public awareness is also growing, with residents asking for transparency about what chemicals are present on building surfaces in their neighborhoods. As testing becomes more common, regulators may issue guidance on safer washing schedules, runoff controls, or approved cleaning techniques.

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