Senior Advisor GHD Services, Florida, United States
Abstract Submission: There has been a flurry of regulatory initiatives surrounding the management of PFAS. In 2024 alone, the Toxic Release Inventory was updated, and our National Drinking Water Standards now include 6 PFAS compounds. There is now a PFAS Reportable quantity (RQ). Superfund has added 9 PFAS to the Hazardous Substances List, an NPDES PFAS "hit List" has been established, and a PFAS data collection rule for POTWs has been established. RCRA regulation will also be passed by the time of the 2025 conference. Commercial and industrial owners/operators who become aware of “releases” of PFAS on their property are likely to have reporting obligations to the federal government. EPA and State regulators now have the authority to issue directives to assess and possibly clean up PFAS-impacted properties. The DOT will now be required to manage and label PFAS-related materials for packaging and transport. Many voluntary cleanup programs require pre-notification of contaminants encountered that will no doubt include PFAS. Because groundwater is treated as drinking water, there could be reports during Phase II assessments submitted to regulatory authorities, possibly triggering requests for treatment prior to use. POTW analysis of wastewater discharge and, more importantly, biomass will identify PFAS requiring reporting and management. NPDES Stormwater MS4 analysis (especially sediment) will require reporting and management. New Superfund sites may be added, and those that are closed could be re-opened. Quick self-directed cleanups that employ “dig and haul” of soils could be impacted. Worst yet, no chemical or biological technology is currently available in situ that can break down these compounds into their elemental components. All of these issues and more will be addressed
Learning Objectives/Expected Outcome (Optional) : Regulatory Legislative Update Economic and treatment technology challenges Regulatory standard analysis
