Hunt Valley, Maryland (16 April 2026)— EA has been contracted to investigate sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances/perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFAS/PFOS) that have entered the Oakwood Sewer District in Detroit, Michigan. Valued at approximately $3 million, the environmental services work is being performed for the Great Lakes Water Authority.
“PFAS detected in wastewater systems originate from a range of upstream sources including industrial discharges, commercial activities, consumer products, landfill leachate, and historical firefighting foam use and wastewater treatment plants act as passive receivers of these compounds. Systematic source identification and strategic prioritization based on the relative contributions of PFAS mass loading within the sewershed before entering the wastewater treatment plant represents one of the most important and necessary pre-treatment evaluation steps,” said Mahsa Modiri, PhD, PE, EA’s PFAS Technical Director. “Addressing PFAS at the source, whenever feasible, is critical for effectively managing and reducing PFAS loads entering wastewater treatment systems.”
EA is nationally recognized for leadership in providing innovative solutions for complex environmental problems including PFAS and other chemicals and contaminants of emerging concern.
“Our team brings exceptional expertise in complex systems impacted by PFAS and applies data-driven management and mitigation strategies for impacted environmental systems, supported by years of applied research and forensic investigations, and experience supporting full-scale implementation,” noted EA Chief Scientist Mike Ciarlo. “Not only do we characterize the problem—we deliver data-driven, practical solutions tailored to each system’s unique conditions and regulatory landscape, all supported by rigorous quality assurance and quality control, which is a cornerstone of EA’s approach.”
The firm’s ongoing work focuses on advancing the science of PFAS forensics, source prioritization, fate and transport, ecotoxicity assessment, biodegradability, and technology validation for both source control and treatment. In advancing science, EA remains at the forefront of emerging PFAS research, by collaborating with leading academic and government institutions to deliver technically robust, science-driven solutions tailored to the specific challenges of PFAS mitigation within complex municipal wastewater and sewershed systems.
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