Teach operators of public water systems (PWSS) in delaware about the new maximum containment levels (MCLS) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the drinking water supply and treatment…

This Cooperative Agreement award, provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Congressionally Mandated Projects program (CFDA 66.202), is intended to train public water system operators in Delaware on new maximum contaminant levels for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and provide guidance on cost-effective PFAS treatment technologies. The $260,000 award will fund the installation of a PFAS pilot-scale unit and bench-scale system at a public water system in Delaware, which will serve as experiential learning tools. This will be complemented by theoretical training and a stakeholder workshop to help Delaware's public water system operators better address PFAS contamination and ensure safe, reliable drinking water for residents. The project aims to identify sorbents or sorbent combinations that can effectively remove PFAS and radium, and develop a guidance document with decision trees and protocols for installing and operating PFAS treatment systems.

Description

The purpose of this project is to teach operators of public water systems (PWSS) in delaware about the new maximum containment levels (MCLS) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the drinking water supply and treatment options to meet the new regulatory standard. These are new treatment requirements so operators need training on how to select dependable and cost-effective PFAS treatment technologies with no negative effects on water quality. Through this project, the delaware PWS operators will be better prepared to address PFAS contamination, ensuring safe drinking water and reliable water filtration infrastructure for delaware residents, in alignment with objective 5.1 in EPA's FY2022-2026 strategic plan. Activities:a PFAS pilot scale unit and bench scale system will be installed at a public water system (PWS) in delaware and these will then be used to teach other PWSS in delaware to make decisions regarding full-scale PFAS treatment, including the best filter materials and how to manage spent media. The pilot unit and complementary bench-scale tests will serve as experiential learning tools that will be complemented with theoretical training and a workshop with vendors and drinking water stakeholders in delaware. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:deliverables for this project include annual and final research reports. Expected outcomes include addressing the uniquely high PFAS and radium contamination in delaware drinking water wells by identification of sorbents or sorbent combinations that can cost- effectively remove PFAS and offer a solution for radium (i.e., limit RA accumulation on spent media), to train drinking water system operators and engineers on key aspects of PFAS treatment and a guidance document with decision trees and protocols for installing and operating PFAS treatment systems. Direct beneficiaries of this project include residents of areas in delaware where PFAS is present in the environment, in the drinking water or groundwater, and the general public.