EA Receives WRF Funding to Develop a PFAS Toolkit for Water/Wastewater Utility Operators

Hunt Valley, Maryland (6 July 2023)—EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC (EA), a leading provider of interdisciplinary environmental services, has been awarded nearly $150,000 in funding from The Water Research Foundation (WRF) for the research project entitled, “State of the Science and Regulatory Acceptability for PFAS Residual Management Options.” The total research investment, including cost share and in-kind contributions, equates to just over $215,000.

This 18-month study will identify currently available residual management options for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), evaluate their suitability under various operational and regulatory circumstances, provide an overview of associated guidelines and regulations, and result in a newly developed PFAS toolkit to help utilities evaluate residual management options. Leading the project for EA is Principal Investigator Mahsa Modiri-Gharehveran, Ph.D., P.E. As part of the research work, Co-Principal Investigator, Dr. Linda S. Lee of Purdue University, will host a series of workshops with municipal wastewater utilities to discuss the acceptability and limitations of various management approaches.

PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, are a complex family of synthetic organic compounds. Public and regulatory attention to PFAS in the environment has dramatically increased in recent years, highlighting the persistence of these compounds in the environment and the importance of understanding their occurrence and impact. Releases into our environment have been occurring for more than 50 years, polluting rivers, lakes, forests, wildlife, and groundwater, including sources of drinking water. Exposure to PFAS compounds is connected to several adverse health effects.

This pioneering research will result in greater understanding of specific PFAS disposal and destruction options, understanding of the current state of federal and state regulations and guidance and their applicability to each utility, and a toolkit that will help utilities manage their PFAS residuals and waste, thereby reducing discharges of PFAS into waterways and groundwater.

EA is proud to receive this funding from WRF. “Research and development studies such as this are key to increasing our understanding of the science of PFAS treatment and destruction,” said Paul Caprio, P.G., Vice President and lead for EA’s services focused on chemicals and contaminants of emerging concern. “At EA, we are driven to advance the science and our profession in order to better serve our clients in addressing their most complex environmental challenges.”

WRF is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of the water sector. For more information, visit www.waterrf.org. It is anticipated that project results will be available in 2024. Stay up to date on project progress by visiting the 5170 project page of the WRF website.

About EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC

EA is a 100% employee-owned public benefit corporation that provides environmental, compliance, natural resources, and infrastructure engineering and management solutions to a wide range of public and private sector clients. Headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, EA employs more than 600 professionals through a network of 27 commercial offices across the continental United States, as well as Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam. Entering our 50^th year of business, EA has earned an outstanding reputation for technical expertise, responsive service, and judicious use of client resources. For more information about EA, visit www.eaest.com.

CONTACT:
Amy Lambert
EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC
225 Schilling Circle, Suite 400
Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031
410-527-2410
alambert@eaest.com