Strategies for Communicating and Managing PFAS Contamination
The Water Center is pleased to announce the release of a new report, Beyond Drinking Water: Strategies for Communicating and Managing PFAS Contamination.
In April 2024, the EPA finalized a new National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR), setting limits – well below existing state standards – on PFAS concentrations in drinking water. This new rule will require many water systems to adopt new technologies into their existing treatment processes. When PFAS contamination is discovered in drinking water, water systems also become responsible for educating their communities about PFAS exposure risks, sources, and solutions.
Through interviews with water industry stakeholders, this report investigates how the water industry has been impacted by recent PFAS regulations. Interviewees describe the challenges of addressing PFAS in drinking water, especially funding treatment facility upgrades and mitigating increasing consumer distrust of public water. Water systems will continue to bear these burdens as we wrestle with the challenge of PFAS contamination. To address this challenge, interviewees advocate for a holistic approach that
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- Addresses the sources of PFAS contamination, and
- Manages PFAS contaminated waste to prevent reentry into the environment.
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SUMMARY OF REPORT:
Comprehensive Summary of “Beyond Drinking Water: Strategies for Communicating and Managing PFAS Contamination”
Introduction
The report examines the growing concern surrounding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of synthetic chemicals prevalent in the environment since their introduction in the 1930s. With properties that resist degradation, PFAS are commonly found in numerous consumer products, leading to widespread environmental contamination. The report underscores the urgency for effective management strategies to address PFAS contamination, especially in drinking water systems, due to its potential health impacts.
PFAS Regulations and Health Risks
In April 2024, the EPA established a new National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) that sets stringent limits on PFAS concentrations in drinking water, significantly below existing state standards. Research links PFAS exposure to various health issues, including certain cancers and immune system impacts. The regulation requires water systems to implement new technologies and communicate risks associated with PFAS to their communities.
Methodology
The report is based on interviews with stakeholders in the water industry, including public water systems, private industries, and academic institutions. These interviews focused on understanding the implications of PFAS regulations and exploring integrated solutions to manage contamination effectively.
Removing PFAS from Drinking Water
The report outlines key technologies for PFAS removal:
1.Granular Activated Carbon (GAC): Effective at 90-99% removal efficiency but may have high operating costs and require frequent replacement.
2.Ion Exchange (IX): Offers >99% removal efficiency, though it can increase water corrosivity.
3.High-Pressure Membrane Technologies: Such as nanofiltration and reverse osmosis, can achieve similar efficiencies but are more complex and costly to operate.
Despite these technologies, the costs for treatment upgrades are significant, often exceeding federal funding capabilities. For instance, Ridgewood Water had to consolidate its treatment facilities at a cost of at least $140 million.
Challenges in PFAS Management
Water systems face multiple challenges, including the threat of litigation due to PFAS being classified as hazardous substances. This designation increases the regulatory burden on water systems without providing them a clear path for recouping costs. Stakeholders expressed concerns that the current regulatory landscape could lead to more stringent future regulations.
Communicating PFAS Issues
The report emphasizes the importance of effective communication strategies for educating communities about PFAS risks without inciting panic. Water systems are responsible for informing the public about water quality issues, but they often lack the resources for effective communication. Miscommunication can lead to distrust, further complicating the issue.
A Holistic Approach to PFAS Contamination
The report advocates for a comprehensive approach to addressing PFAS contamination, including:
•Regulating Wastewater: Municipal and industrial wastewater is a major source of PFAS pollution. The report calls for tighter regulations on PFAS discharges.
•Managing PFAS-Containing Products: Current regulations require manufacturers to report PFAS use but often fall short of eliminating these substances from consumer products.
Research Opportunities and Next Steps
The report identifies several areas for future research, including:
•Developing better models to understand PFAS health impacts.
•Studying PFAS precursors that may convert into harmful substances.
•Advancing treatment technologies for both concentration and destruction of PFAS.
Conclusion
Effective management of PFAS contamination requires a coordinated effort among regulatory agencies, water systems, industries, and researchers. The report highlights the need for sustainable solutions that not only treat drinking water but also address the sources of contamination. As public awareness of PFAS issues grows, stakeholders must collaborate to develop and implement strategies that protect public health and the environment.
