The SAN francisco estuary institute's PFAS sources to solutions: identifying and preventing PFAS pollution in SAN francisco BAY project will focus on collecting data to support the development and…

The San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) was awarded a $2,600,100 project grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the EPA's Geographic Programs - San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund (CFDA 66.126). The grant, with a period of performance from April 1, 2024 to December 31, 2027, will support SFEI's "PFAS Sources to Solutions" project to identify and prevent PFAS pollution in the San Francisco Bay.

The key project activities include: 1) monitoring PFAS levels in Bay water, sediment, and biota, and calculating PFAS loads from urban stormwater runoff and municipal wastewater; 2) identifying PFAS-containing consumer products as sources to support the California Department of Toxic Substances Control's regulatory program; and 3) communicating findings to the public, institutions, and businesses to reduce PFAS pollution. The project includes a $209,600 sub-award to Indiana University for product PFAS content measurements. The expected outcomes are protection of human health and the Bay's ecosystem by reducing PFAS sources over the long term.

The SAN francisco estuary institute's PFAS sources to solutions: identifying and preventing PFAS pollution in SAN francisco BAY project will focus on collecting data to support the development and implementation of measures to prevent PFAS contamination in SF BAY and beyond. PFAS sources to solutions builds on the strong foundation of collaborative science established by the regional monitoring program for water quality to use a long term data set to inform management actions. This project is a partnership among scientists, water quality agencies, the state of california's unique consumer product regulatory program, and other stakeholders to (1) monitor PFAS in the BAY and estimate PFAS loads (annual mass discharge) from urban pathways (municipal wastewater and urban stormwater runoff); (2) develop high-quality information on PFAS-containing products to inform regulatory action to support the reduction of urban PFAS sources; and (3) communicate widely with both experts and non-experts on PFAS sources on how to reduce PFAS pollution. EPA has identified PFAS as an urgent public health and environmental issue. PFAS are contaminants of high concern in SAN francisco BAY. The project outcomes will benefit the SF BAY ecosystem and its communities. This assistance agreement provides full federal funding in the amount of $2,600,100. Preaward costs are approved back to april 1, 2024. Activities:to implement the SAN francisco estuary partnership comprehensive conservation and management plan (ccmp), the SAN francisco estuary institute will accomplish the following activities: task 1-collect high priority data through PFAS monitoring of water, sediment and biota, and loads calculations supported by an EPA-approved qapp; task 2- identifying PFAS-containing product sources to municipal wastewater and urban stormwater runoff in support of the dtsc safer consumer products regulatory program; task 3- share information on PFAS in products and their linkage to the BAY, relative loads in urban stormwater runoff and municipal wastewater, and other PFAS scientific information relevant for families, institutions, tribes, community groups, and businesses. These activities provide benefits for the entire populace of the SAN francisco BAY area. Subrecipient:subaward to indiana university - product PFAS content measurements (professor marta venier)outcomes:anticipated project deliverables will include the following: synthesis of existing PFAS data in BAY water, sediment, biota, wastewater, and urban stormwater runoff; regional PFAS monitoring strategy; technical report #1, 'PFAS synthesis and strategy'; urban stormwater runoff and municipal wastewater data summary; (appendix for technical report #2, 'product-pollution linkage assessment'); technical report #3, 'urban PFAS loads estimates'; conceptual model mapping PFAS transport from products to BAY via urban stormwater runoff and municipal wastewater; quality assurance project plan (qapp); PFAS website to disseminate project findings to broad audience; progress reports and final report. The expected outcomes include protection of human health and organisms living in the BAY over the long term by reducing PFAS sources from wastewater, biosolids, and stormwater. The intended beneficiaries of this project are the entire populace of the SAN francisco BAY area and the living resources of the SAN francisco BAY and its watersheds. PFAS are contaminants of high concern in SAN francisco BAY.