WHAT MUNICIPALITIES NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PFAS

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As media and public attention to PFAS increases, municipality and water quality officials will be called on to answer questions and develop strategies to keep the public safe from these harmful chemicals.

COMMON PFAS SOURCES

Evaluating your municipality for potential sources of PFAS is a great place to start assessing a potential PFAS problem.

AIRPORTS & DOD FACILITIES

The aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) used to fight aviation fires are a common source of PFAS contamination. After an emergency or training exercise, released AFFF can seep into the ground to contaminate soil and ground water. AFFF that enters the storm drainage system can also contaminate local surface waters and enter the public water systems.

FIREFIGHTING

AFFF is also used regularly to fight municipal fires involving flammable liquids. Although there are fluorine-free foams (FFF) available, they are slowly being phased in, and not all FFF are free from PFAS. Pace^® can test both your legacy AFFF and newer stocks of FFF to determine how much and which PFAS they contain.

Has your city or town had a recent fire emergency or chemical spill? Our Rapid Response team can help you assess potential PFAS contamination.

LANDFILLS

Municipal and private landfills are another common source of PFAS contamination. As liquid (rain, condensation, liquid waste) passes through a landfill, it can leach PFAS from solid or liquid waste. Common examples include construction materials, carpeting, packaging, weather-proof clothing, and non-stick cookware. If the lining breaks down – or if the landfill was never lined – this leachate can contaminate surrounding soil and groundwater.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT

Storm sewers, industrial discharge, landfill leachate, and other non-potable liquids that contain PFAS are often sent to the municipal wastewater treatment facility for processing. Unfortunately, traditional municipal wastewater treatment does not remove PFAS. In fact, it can convert PFAS precursors into terminal PFAS, further compounding a local contamination issue

BIOSOLIDS

Roughly half of the domestic sewage sludge produced by wastewater treatment in the United States is applied to agriculture as a soil amendment. If these biosolids contain PFAS, contamination can enter the food chain and spread to local ground and surface waters.

COMMERCIAL INCINERATORS

Incineration has long-been a preferred method for disposing of industrial waste and chemical stockpiles. Unfortunately, evidence suggests that thermal techniques are not as effective as once thought at destroying PFAS. Soil, ash, groundwater, and air samples taken from incinerator sites and surrounding neighborhoods have shown elevated levels of PFAS. The EPA’s updated interim guidance on destruction and disposal of PFAS discusses various types of incinerators that have been used, but states that not enough data is available to determine their efficacy in destroying PFAS and controlling PICs (Particles of Incomplete Combustion).

GET THE LATEST

Need to level up your knowledge or looking for PFAS guidance you can share with a colleague? Download The Municipality’s Guide to PFAS Contamination and Testing for information on:

Reasons to Test for PFAS
The PFAS Regulatory Landscape
Sources of PFAS
Current Test Methods
Compound Lists
Sampling Best Practices

FIFTH UNREGULATED CONTAMINANT MONITORING RULE (UCMR 5)

Sampling under the EPA’s fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) began in January 2023. All public water systems (PWS) serving 3,300 or more customers, plus 800 randomly selected smaller systems, will be required to test each entry point to the distribution system for 29 PFAS plus lithium. The EPA has also selected several hundred smaller PWS to participate as well.

INCREASING PFAS TRANSPARENCY

In early 2023, the U.S. EPA dramatically increased transparency into PFAS contamination around the country by publishing online, publicly available PFAS Analytical Tools that aggregate data gathered from various programs, including UCMR 5.

PFAS TEST METHODS

Whether testing for drinking water compliance or public health and safety concerns, Pace^® has the services you need. We offer testing services for a wide range of liquid and solid matrices, such as potable & non-potable water, leachate, solids, and soil & sediment. In addition to analyzing for targeted PFAS, we can also analyze matrices for total organic fluorine and PFAS precursors.

REASONS TO CHOOSE PACE®

EXPERIENCED

Pace^® has been an industry leader in persistent organic pollutant testing for over three decades.

CERTIFIED

We’re certified/accredited by NELAC, ISO, DOD, DOE, and in every state with a PFAS lab certification program.

RELIABLE

For emergencies, our Rapid Response Team can provide defensible results in as little as 24 hours.

COMMITTED

We are committed to helping our customers advance their important work through building strong relationships, delivering upon expectations, and providing exceptional customer service.