Navigating PFAS Regulations and Preparing for Future Water Contaminants
In this episode Talking Under Water co-hosts discuss EPA’s draft guidance on PFAS in biosolids, lessons utilities can take from the PFAS regulatory landscape to prepare for future contaminants, and recent developments affecting stormwater and water infrastructure projects.
Bob Crossen explains EPA’s newly released guidance for reducing risks associated with PFOA and PFOS in biosolids, highlighting the agency’s emphasis on source control, monitoring, pollution prevention, and public engagement through the ongoing comment period. He examines how states such as Michigan have successfully reduced PFAS loadings through pretreatment programs and discusses the challenges utilities face when land application options become restricted.
Mandy Crispin shares key insights from an ACE panel discussion focused on what PFAS can teach utilities about preparing for future contaminant regulations. She outlines emerging contaminants that could draw future regulatory attention and emphasizes the importance of documenting contaminant-specific costs, testing efforts, treatment decisions, staff time, and public outreach activities. These records could prove valuable for compliance, funding opportunities, and potential cost recovery efforts in the future.
The episode concludes with stormwater news covering Michigan dam safety legislation, EPA-approved groundwater remediation plans in Wyandotte, and Florida funding to strengthen wastewater infrastructure following Hurricane Milton.
Show notes:
EPA releases draft PFAS biosolids guidance for public comment
EPA proposes UCMR 6 monitoring rule, leaves microplastics off testing list
Lessons from PFAS can help utilities prepare for the next wave of contaminants
What PFAS Taught Us About Preparing for the Next Emerging Contaminant
Key moments:
- 00:00 – Introduction
- 01:31 – EPA releases PFAS in biosolids guidance and opens public comment period
- 04:59 – Michigan’s source-control strategy shows major PFAS reductions
- 11:23 – ACE panel lessons: preparing utilities for the next emerging contaminant
- 14:26 – Why utilities should document contaminant-specific costs and decisions
- 18:08 – Suffolk County perspective: preventing contaminants before they reach drinking water sources
- 19:26 – Stormwater infrastructure, dam safety, cleanup projects, and funding news
- 21:48 – Housekeeping
About the podcast
Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Storm Water Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.
Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing [email protected] engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.
About the Author
Bob Crossen
Bob Crossen is the vice president of content strategy for the Water and Energy Groups of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B. EB2B publishes WaterWorld, Wastewater Digest and Stormwater Solutions in its water portfolio and publishes Oil & Gas Journal, Offshore Magazine, T&D World, EnergyTech and Microgrid Knowledge in its energy portfolio. Crossen graduated from Illinois State University in Dec. 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in German and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. He worked for Campbell Publications, a weekly newspaper company in rural Illinois outside St. Louis for four years as a reporter and regional editor. Crossen can be reached at [email protected].
Mandy Crispin
Mandy Crispin is the editor-in-chief of WaterWorld, having joined Endeavor Business Media in 2023. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada and is a graduate of University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She has internal and external corporate communications experience in disparate industries including online retail, gaming, plastics and is now enjoying exploring the water utility space. Crispin can be reach at [email protected].
Alex Cossin
Associate Editor
Alex Cossin is lead reporter, staff writer and content strategist for Waterworld Magazine, Wastewater Digest, Stormwater Solutions and Water Technology. Cossin graduated from Kent State University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. Cossin can be reached at [email protected].