PFAS RESOURCES
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The Role Of Reverse Osmosis (RO) Membranes In The Battle Against PFAS12/4/2023
As the global concern over per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination continues to escalate, innovative solutions are becoming increasingly pivotal in the pursuit of clean and safe water resources. The City of Rome Water and Sewer Division conducted a comprehensive pilot to identify a treatment process for removing PFAS from the water supply, including high recovery reverse osmosis technologies.
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The Building Blocks Of PFAS Expertise11/27/2023
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are quickly emerging into a major environmental and human health concern. Characterized by their extreme resistance to breaking down — owing to the molecules’ carbon-fluorine bonds, the strongest in organic chemistry — PFAS are persistent in the environment and can be found in water, wastewater, soils, air, food, and in the blood of humans and animals.
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This Small Midwestern City Is Showing The U.S. How To Fight Lead, PFAS Contamination11/21/2023
Water systems throughout the U.S. continue to struggle with two major contamination trends, but progress gaining traction in the Midwest may have some answers for how they can make more of federal funding.
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Predicting How Effective Water Filters Are At Removing A Variety Of PFAS11/17/2023
A major topic of research for EPA researchers is evaluating how effective different water treatment technologies are at removing PFAS from drinking water. Unfortunately, there are thousands of different types of PFAS chemicals and each of them may respond differently to the same type of water treatment technology.
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Most Americans Are Oblivious To 'Forever Chemicals' And Risks11/16/2023
Texas A&M AgriLife scientists conducting the first generalized U.S. study on public awareness of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, found most Americans do not know what the substances are or have knowledge of any potential associated risks.
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ALTRA | SANEXEN Wins International Influence Award From The CETEQ11/15/2023
ALTRA | SANEXEN has won the International Influence Award from the Conseil des entreprises en technologies environnementales du Québec (“CETEQ”).
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Does The Water Industry Have What It Takes To Meet EPA's Proposed Tough Restrictions On PFAS?11/15/2023
Read about how the EPA is looking at public water systems to shoulder the hard and expensive work of testing and treating source water for PFAS.
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Converting PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Into Valuable Compounds11/14/2023
Commonly known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are notorious for persisting in the environment and in our bodies. Osaka Metropolitan University chemists may put an end to the “forever” life of PFAS with their simple yet innovative technique that converts these harmful substances into valuable compounds.
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How PFAS Are Getting Into Miami's Biscayne Bay11/14/2023
PFAS, the "forever chemicals" that have been raising health concerns across the country, are not just a problem in drinking water. As these chemicals leach out of failing septic systems and landfills and wash off airport runways and farm fields, they can end up in streams that ultimately discharge into ocean ecosystems where fish, dolphins, manatees, sharks, and other marine species live.
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New EPA Data Show Millions More Have ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Drinking Water11/9/2023
New data released by the Environmental Protection Agency show 44 million people have toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in their drinking water after collecting test results from fewer than one-third of the nation’s drinking water supplies.
PFAS SOLUTIONS
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Leadership In Times Of Water Stress: Answers For Pressing Issues, Including PFAS12/5/2023
AqueoUS Vets (AV) is a water and wastewater treatment company with a unique name, one that references the service background of its founder while also invoking traits often attributed to the U.S. military — among them, committed leadership, such as that provided by AV's president and CEO, Dr. Mirka Wilderer.
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Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Getting Answers To Evolving Water Issues11/7/2023A review of the WEFTEC tradeshow, current and emerging water threats, and the latest water and wastewater solutions from the VP of a fast-rising treatment provider.
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Complete PFAS Removal: Are Current Proposals Enough?6/21/2023In this Q&A, a PFAS expert shares his viewpoints on the direction of regulations, as well as what can and should be done to root out so-called "forever chemicals" for good.
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Pioneering Utility Shares Insights On PFAS Treatability4/11/2023Horsham Water was one of the earliest and hardest hit by PFAS contamination. Due to their experience, they are also among the best at treating to very low levels. Learn about the "Horsham Standard" and what drinking water utilities can expect as they endeavor to meet the pending national standard.
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How And When The EPA’s Proposed PFAS MCLs Could Impact The Drinking Water Industry3/22/2023
The U.S. EPA recently announced its proposal for what would be the first-ever national drinking water standards for PFAS. This news likely triggered several questions about what this means to the drinking water industry. Here, we will address some of the most important ones.
ABOUT PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have sometimes been called “forever chemicals” for their persistent nature in the environment, difficulty to remove through treatment, and bioaccumulation in humans and animals. Two types of PFAS — perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) — have been identified as toxic by the U.S. EPA, while many more of the nearly 5,000 PFAS formulas are either suspected contaminants or have yet to be studied thoroughly. Originally developed for non-stick coatings, stain-repellant fabric treatments, and firefighting foams, PFAS are especially prevalent near former areas of high use — such as manufacturing facilities, airports, military bases, or the sites of large fires — yet widely problematic.
In February 2020, the EPA issued preliminary determinations to regulate PFOA and PFOS under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and establish the first national PFAS monitoring and treatment requirements for drinking water utilities (see EPA’s PFAS Action Plan). Numerous U.S. states, however, have already developed rules and guidance for PFAS.
This solution center addresses the topics and questions most important to drinking water professionals as the PFAS issue evolves — How does PFAS get into drinking water? How do utilities monitor for PFAS? What treatment technologies remove PFAS? What are the regulatory limits for PFAS? — with answers provided through breaking news stories, editorial insight, and technical discussions.