Rationale for Study
PFAS are fluorinated compounds that comprise a family of anthropogenic chemicals used for decades to make products resistant to heat, oil stains, grease, and water. Of these, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) have been the most prominently used in the U.S. PFAS are now regarded by EPA to be “emerging contaminants”.
Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has requested comments on their draft PFAS Draft Chemical Action Plan (CAP). This CAP includes a variety of chapters, one of which is on biosolids. To review the CAP and provide comments, visit the PFAS CAP website. The comment period has been extended to January 22, 2021.
By Sally Brown, University of Washington
Abstracts of these resources are available in the searchable Information Portal offered to Northwest Biosolids members.
PFAS concentrations in soils: Background levels versus contaminated sites
https://nwbiosolids.org/resource/pfas-concentrations-soils-background-levels-versus-contaminated-sites
Recognition of Kyle Dorsey, WA State Dept. of Ecology
The Regulations Committee would like to recognize Kyle Dorsey, WA State Department of Ecology, for his leadership in creating one of the more successful biosolids programs in the country. Read the Regulations Spotlight here.
WA State PFAS CAP Comments
Regulations Corner
Washington State PFAS Chemical Action Plan
The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has released the PFAS Draft Chemical Action Plan (CAP). This CAP includes a variety of chapters, one of which is on biosolids. To review the CAP and provide comment, visit the PFAS CAP website. Comments are due December 7, 2020.
U.S. EPA Biosolids PFOA & PFOS Meeting
New PFAS Outreach Resources
WA State General Permit for Biosolids
The Washington State Dept. of Ecology announced their determination that the general permit under WAC-173-308 is the best approach to implementing the statewide program. This is following a complete review of comments, of which Northwest Biosolids comments were included, on the preliminary notice to issue a revised general permit.
WEF Biosolids National Convening
PFAS in Wastewater Resources
As the PFAS topic continues to evolve, new resources have also become available to help the water and wastewater sector better understand the weight of this on their programs.
PFAS & National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)