Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
UMass and MassDEP presenters outline PFAS treatment options, urge pilot testing for small water systems
Summary
UMass Amherst researchers and a MassDEP technical‑assistance provider reviewed PFAS treatment options—granular activated carbon, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis/nanofiltration—stressed pilot testing required by Massachusetts, outlined residuals challenges, and summarized regulatory timelines and available grant support.
Shane Hancox, a research fellow and PhD student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Eric Lian, a technical assistance provider with UMass Amherst and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), told a Wednesday webinar that small public water systems should rely on pilot testing to choose among PFAS treatment technologies because site water chemistry determines performance and cost.
"Pilot testing is the best way to determine the bed life and how often you'll need to replace [media]," Hancox said, adding that Massachusetts often requires pilot testing before full‑scale PFAS treatment implementation. Eric Lian summarized the ECSDC grant pathway that can fund engineering design and help systems apply for construction funds.
Why this matters: regulators and water operators face near‑term milestones under the EPA PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Rule. Hancox noted the EPA rule (finalized 04/26/2024) established an initial monitoring window and a later compliance period, and said a proposed federal extension could shift monitoring and…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
