The problem is that policy built on rhetorical shortcuts tends to produce blunt instruments. And when the instruments are blunt and the underlying science is nuanced, the compliance burden falls indiscriminately while actual risk reduction is uneven. That is where we are with PFAS regulation right now, and the water treatment industry, which sits at the intersection of PFAS as a contamination problem and PFAS as a chemistry used in treatment equipment, has more at stake in getting this right than almost any other sector.
Tag: EPA
EPA’s RealWaterTA Initiative
Technical assistance (TA) under RealWaterTA is a targeted, boots-on-the-ground effort to help water systems thrive. The EPA is refocusing on eight core priorities to ensure long-term reliability in providing safe drinking water and treating wastewater effectively.
TFA – is the risk real?
TFAs are here forever. Short term risks seem minimal. The long-term picture is murkier and more concerning. TFA’s extreme persistence (no natural degradation in terminal sinks like oceans or deep aquifers) means accumulation is effectively irreversible. Sticking with TFA-forming refrigerants locks in decades of accumulation for short-term gains in global warming potential (GWP).
Rethinking Forever Chemicals
While the phrase “forever chemicals” captures attention, it does not accurately reflect the chemical diversity or biochemical behavior of PFAS as a class. The phrase succeeded in raising awareness. But the future of PFAS management belongs to science-driven nuance, not oversimplification.
Smart Cities with Dumb Water
Pauli Undesser delivered an inspiring presentation at TEDx Folsom this year. In her talk “Smart Cities Can’t Afford Dumb Water,” Pauli makes a compelling case:(more…)
EPA to keep MCLs for PFOA, PFOS
EPA is announcing its intent to extend compliance deadlines for PFOA and PFOS, establish a federal exemption framework, and initiate enhanced outreach to water systems, especially in rural and small communities, through EPA’s new PFAS OUTreach Initiative (PFAS OUT).