Monitoring and Occurrence of PFAS in Drinking Water | AAAS EPI Center
notebooks. Avoid the use of all PFAS-containing materials that may potentially contaminate water samples during sampling events . It is also important to include QA/QC to verify the presence of PFAS cross contamination. Additionally, it is important to check with the laboratory performing analytical services prior to sampling to determine if specific sample collection procedures are recommended, as many laboratories require the use of laboratory-supplied containers. Several parameters should be measured and recorded when performing PFAS sampling, including environmental conditions (e.g., stream flow, water depth, distance from shoreline, water matrix, etc.), water quality parameters (e.g., pH, turbidity, organics), groundwater well conditions (e.g., well depth, time purged, water table characteristics, well construction), and location (e.g., GPS coordinates, groundwater well name). Some of this information, such as groundwater well depth and water table characteristics, may provide insight as to where PFAS contamination originates. Other information, including surface water stream flow, can account for PFAS concentration variations between multiple sampling events. Key Takeaways PFAS contamination in U.S. drinking water sources is widespread due to PFAS use in commercial products (e.g., nonstick cookware, water-resistant fabrics) and industrial applications (e.g., chrome plating, oil recovery) and subsequent disposal of consumer products and industrial waste discharge. It can be difficult to identify all sources of contamination, detailed sampling at multiple points upstream and downstream of potential sources is often required. Evaluating PFAS occurrence in drinking water requires a robust monitoring plan. Key takeaways from this PFAS Monitoring and Occurrence Fact Sheet include: • After entering the environment, PFAS are continuously cycled between surface water, groundwater, drinking water treatment plants (WTP), and wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) due to the inability of WTP and WWTP technologies to remove these chemicals. • Our knowledge related to PFAS transport in the environment is continuously expanding as more research is conducted. • Due to the persistent nature of PFAS, taking a holistic, One Water approach is ideal to identify potential sources of PFAS in impacted drinking water communities. • Communities can examine previously conducted PFAS studies, such as the EPA’s UCMR 3 program or state-led PFAS sampling programs, as a first step to determine potential for PFAS contamination. Local universities, researchers, and water utilities may have performed sampling and PFAS analysis of water resources. • If contamination is suspected or identified, communities should develop a PFAS monitoring plan. Any monitoring plan should consider sampling locations, frequencies, cost, and other water quality parameters. • Measuring PFAS levels in water presents several analytical challenges. Analytical costs, complex water matrices, trace PFAS concentrations and cross contamination can make sampling efforts costly and challenging.
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