What is PFAS?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of human-made chemicals used in many industries since the 1940s. PFAS are used in products that resist grease, water, stains, and heat, such as nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, food packaging, firefighting foam, and industrial processes. While they have been valuable in manufacturing, PFAS exposure has raised health concerns, including potential links to cancer, hormone disruption, immune system effects, and developmental issues. Due to these risks, regulatory efforts to monitor and limit PFAS contamination in water, soil, and products are increasing.
What are PFOA and PFOS?
Two of the most well-known chemicals in the PFAS group are PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate). These substances have been widely used for decades in industrial processes and consumer products due to their resistance to heat, water, and oil.
PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) is a chemical commonly used in products like nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, carpet treatments, and firefighting foams. However, it linked to kidney and testicular cancers, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, and immune system suppression. PFOA is also bioaccumulative, which means it builds up in the body over time, both in humans and animals. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) phased out its use through the 2006 PFOA Stewardship Program, it continues to remain in the environment and in imported goods.
PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate) is used in products like stain and water-resistant treatments, firefighting foams, and in metal plating and electronics manufacturing. It is associated with several health concerns, including liver damage, developmental effects, immune suppression, and an increased risk of cancer. PFOS stays in the environment for a very long time and does not easily break down. It has been detected in water supplies and wildlife around the world. In 2009, PFOS was added to the Stockholm Convention, a global treaty that aims to reduce or eliminate the use and release of dangerous pollutants. This led to strict regulations and bans on PFOS in many countries.
Both PFOA and PFOS are commonly referred to as "forever chemicals" because they break down very slowly in the environment and can accumulate in the human body over time. Their phase-out has led to the rise of alternative PFAS compounds, but these are also raising concerns due to similar persistence and toxicity.
What Regulations are Used to Monitor PFAS Contamination?
In the U.S., several regulations are in place to monitor and manage PFAS contamination. The EPA plays a central role, with efforts like the PFAS Action Plan and the PFAS Roadmap, which include proposals to set enforceable limits for PFAS in drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The EPA is also working on designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), which would allow for cleanup at contaminated sites.
Additionally, state-level regulations have been adopted in many areas, with states like California and Michigan establishing stricter PFAS limits for water, soil, and food products. Furthermore, PFAS chemicals are regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which requires companies to notify the EPA before manufacturing new PFAS compounds or using them in certain applications. These regulatory frameworks are crucial for addressing the widespread presence of PFAS in the environment and mitigating the risks they pose to public health.
Is a Water Manager Responsible for Monitoring PFAS Contamination?
The responsibilities of a water manager include testing water supplies for PFAS, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and implementing treatment methods to reduce contamination. Water managers also work to identify sources of PFAS pollution, develop mitigation strategies, and communicate risks and solutions to the public and stakeholders. Since PFAS are persistent in the environment, ongoing monitoring and proactive management are essential to protect public health and maintain water quality.
Overall, a water manager is responsible for overseeing the planning, operation, and maintenance of water resources, systems, and infrastructure to ensure efficient water distribution, quality, and sustainability. They play a vital role in managing water for various purposes, including drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, irrigation, and industrial uses.
Where Does a Water Manager Work?
- Municipal water utilities
- Private water companies
- Environmental agencies and non-profits
- Industrial facilities and agricultural operations
- Consulting firms specializing in water resource management
What is the Role of a Water Manager?
- Water Supply Management: Ensure an adequate and reliable supply of clean water for communities, agriculture, and industries, while also monitoring water quality to ensure it meets safety standards and public health regulations. This involves overseeing the distribution and treatment of water to prevent contamination and ensure it remains safe for consumption and use across various sectors.
- Wastewater and Stormwater Management: Oversee the collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater, ensuring that it is properly processed before being released or reused. These professionals also develop and manage systems to handle stormwater, aiming to prevent flooding and protect the environment by directing excess water safely and reducing the risk of contamination or damage to local ecosystems.
- Infrastructure Maintenance: Oversee the operation and maintenance of water treatment plants, pipelines, reservoirs, and pumping stations.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that water systems meet local, national, and international regulations, including those for PFAS contamination, water usage, and pollution control.
- Sustainability and Conservation: Develop and implement conservation strategies to minimize waste and promote sustainable water use. They ensure resources are managed efficiently while addressing environmental challenges like climate change and droughts. By adapting strategies, they help maintain a reliable water supply while reducing environmental and community impacts.
- Planning and Development: Design and upgrade water systems to meet growing demands and improve operational efficiency. They work closely with engineers, environmental scientists, and policymakers on various water-related projects, ensuring that systems are sustainable, effective, and aligned with regulatory requirements while addressing the needs of the community and environment.
- Crisis Management: Respond to emergencies, such as water contamination, droughts, floods, or infrastructure failures.
- Community and Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate with the public, government agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure transparency and build trust.
Why Does a Water Manager Need PFAS Experience?
PFAS experience is a skill water managers need because of the increasing prevalence, regulatory compliance, and health risks associated with these contaminants. Managing PFAS in water systems requires specialized knowledge and expertise, as it presents unique challenges that are critical to public health and environmental protection. Below are six reasons PFAS experience will help water managers to address regulatory, technical, and communication challenges effectively, ensure safe water supplies, plus protect public health and the environment.
- Increasing Regulations: Governments are setting stricter rules for PFAS in drinking water and wastewater, making it essential for water managers to stay informed. The U.S. EPA and the EU are enforcing tighter limits, and failing to comply can lead to serious penalties. Water managers must understand these changing regulations and ensure their facilities meet the latest safety standards.
- Health and Environmental Risks: PFAS chemicals have been linked to serious health problems, including cancer and immune system issues. Water managers play a key role in keeping communities safe by testing, treating, and reducing PFAS in water supplies. Even small amounts of these chemicals can be harmful, so early detection and proper treatment are critical.
- Advanced Treatment Methods: PFAS are difficult to remove using regular water treatment methods. Specialized techniques like activated carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, and ion exchange resins are needed. Water managers with experience in these methods can choose the best approach, making sure PFAS removal is effective and cost-efficient.
- Managing Contamination: PFAS contamination often comes from industrial sites, firefighting foam, and other sources. Water managers must act quickly to find where the pollution is coming from, develop a cleanup plan, and prevent it from spreading. Without fast action, contamination can worsen, making treatment more difficult and expensive.
- Communicating with the Public: People are becoming more aware of PFAS risks and expect clear information from water providers. Water managers who understand PFAS can explain treatment plans, answer public concerns, and build trust with communities. Keeping people informed helps ensure support for necessary water safety measures.
- Preparing for the Future: PFAS chemicals don’t break down easily, meaning they will be a problem for years to come. Water managers with PFAS knowledge are crucial for creating long-term solutions that keep water safe. By staying up to date on new technologies and regulations, they can help protect water supplies now and in the future.
How Can GPRS Support PFAS Environmental Site Investigations?
As water managers, in conjunction with The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), test for PFAS contamination in water, environmental services such as soil boring and water testing will be critical.
Soil borings are often performed to investigate underground soil conditions for contamination by hazardous materials or waste. There are a few different ways that a soil boring can be accomplished. Direct push and hollow stem auger are the two most common drilling methods for soil sampling and have proven to be effective for most situations.
Any time an excavator or drill rig penetrates the surface of the ground, there is a risk of striking underground utilities. Without site preparation, a drill rig can come into contact with a utility such as water, sewer, electric, communications, or even a gas line. It is crucial to ensure that all utilities are located prior to soil boring. Call GPRS to complete a utility locate prior to a soil boring, to lower the risk of hitting a buried utility line.
GPRS supports the safe and efficient completion of soil borings and other environmental tests with our comprehensive suite of infrastructure visualization services, including 99.8% accurate utility locating and concrete scanning, NASSCO-certified video pipe inspection, and pinpoint-accurate leak detection services. GPRS supports our clients who sample for potential PFAS contamination, but we will not conduct any active monitoring or managing of the contaminant.
Anytime you dig – especially when conducting soil borings – you run the risk of striking a buried utility. GPRS’ private utility locating services utilize ground penetrating radar (GPR), and electromagnetic (EM) locating to locate and map your subsurface infrastructure, mitigating the risk of subsurface damage during soil boring.
To map sewer lines, we combine EM locating with remote-controlled sewer pipe inspection rovers equipped with sondes: instrument probes that the EM locator can detect from the surface. This allows us to map these systems while we’re investigating them for defects such as cross bores, blockages, inflow/infiltration (I/I), and more.
When you need to know where you’re losing water, GPRS conducts leak detection services utilizing acoustic leak detection and leak detection correlators. Acoustic leak detection involves using specialized microphones, headphones, and control units, as well as complimentary technologies to pinpoint water leaks by listening to amplified sound waves in a wide variety of pipe materials. Leak detection correlators are algorithm-powered tools that utilize radio waves via a dual sensor system to process and digitally display leak vibrations that correlate to potential pressurized water system leaks. It is used in conjunction with acoustic devices to provide pinpoint leak detection in water and fire suppression infrastructure.
Field data collected on your job site by our SIM and NASSCO-certified Project Managers is accessible 24/7 in SiteMap® (patent pending), GPRS’ infrastructure visualization software. SiteMap® houses all your GPRS as-built site data – above and below ground such as drawings, maps, models, photogrammetry, NASSCO reports, and more. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, SiteMap® allows you to share your critical infrastructure data with whoever needs it, allowing you safely using a drilling rig for soil boring.
What can GPRS help with your PFAS environmental site investigations?
