As the conversation around PFAS regulations continues to evolve, wastewater utilities are watching closely to understand potential impacts on their operations. Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for two well-known PFAS chemicals—Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS). This assessment examines potential health risks from these chemicals when biosolids are applied to land, a common practice for managing treated wastewater sludge.
In a recent Wastewater Digest interview, Carollo’s national PFAS lead, Kyle Thompson, shared his insights on the assessment, what it means for utilities, and how they can prepare for potential future regulations.
Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment Takeaways
According to Kyle, the EPA assessed 18 different exposure pathways, looking at how PFAS in biosolids could transfer to people. However, he notes that while risks were calculated for land application, the EPA did not include risk assessments for incineration or landfill disposal, citing a lack of available data. Additionally, the agency did not account for any potential benefits of land-applied biosolids, such as soil improvement and nutrient recycling.
How Utilities Can Prepare for Biosolids Regulations
With the EPA’s risk assessment still open to public comment and no immediate regulatory changes finalized, Kyle advises utilities to keep their options open. He emphasizes that while the assessment highlights potential risks, it does not necessarily indicate that a federal rule is imminent.
One proactive step utilities can take is to begin testing biosolids for PFAS to better understand their levels and assess potential impacts. Additionally, Kyle notes that studies show PFAS concentrations in wastewater are decreasing over time, which may influence future regulatory decisions. Starting to collect and analyze data now can help utilities stay ahead and be well-prepared if and when new regulations are introduced.
To hear more of Kyle’s insights on the EPA’s draft risk assessment and what it could mean for the water sector, watch the full interview below: