PFAS Workshop Series: Complexities and Considerations for Research and Management
This workshop series has concluded.
This workshop series explored and shared research updates with water utilities on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through the lens of monitoring, analytical detection methods, and removal and treatment techniques. Topics and selected research were geared towards water and wastewater managers and explored ongoing work, gaps in knowledge, and the complexities around PFAS that create significant challenges for effectively understanding and addressing this class of chemicals.
Audience: Water and wastewater utilities across North Carolina joined this workshop series.
Questions? Contact Kaitlin Tucker at ktucker@ncsu.edu
Agenda for each workshop
*agendas are subject to change
Workshop 1: Operationalizing PFAS Monitoring for Improved Decision Making
Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Description: Join us to hear about monitoring efforts in the state and how water utilities are working with researchers to understand and address PFAS in drinking water, wastewater, and leachate.
Agenda
1:00pm: Welcome and Introductions – Kaitlin Tucker, NC Water Resources Research Institute
1:10pm: Statewide monitoring through the PFAS Testing Network – Dr. Detlef Knappe, North Carolina State University
1:30pm: PFAS Monitoring in Water and Wastewater – From the Utility Perspective – Monica Dodson, Orange Water and Sewer Authority and Beth Eckert, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority
2:10pm: Comparison of the mass loading of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in landfill leachate and wastewater influent – Dr. Morton Barlaz, North Carolina State University
2:45pm: Facilitated Discussion and wrap up – Kaitlin Tucker, NC Water Resources Research Institute
- We invite you to participate in a discussion or extended Q&A to better understand what gaps in research or knowledge exist related to PFAS in water and wastewater and what challenges still need to be overcome.
3:00pm: Webinar ends
Workshop 2: Surveying the Field: Methods to Analyze Water, Wastewater, and Biosolids for PFAS
Date: Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Time: 9:30am-11:30am
Description: Both targeted and non-targeted analytical methods will be reviewed including method overviews, matrices that can be analyzed, and which PFAS compounds can be detected. Limitations of methods will also be discussed.
Agenda
9:30am: Welcome and Introductions – Kaitlin Tucker, NC Water Resources Research Institute
9:35am: An Introduction to Analytical Methods to Measure PFAS in Drinking Water, Wastewater, and Biosolids – Dr. Amy Delinsky, NC Department of Environmental Quality
10:00am: Adsorbable and Extractable Organic Fluorine Methods – Dr. Mei Sun, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
10:30am: Applying non-targeted methods: examples from the Cape Fear and New Jersey Waterways – Dr. Mark Strynar, US Environmental Protection Agency
11:00am: Extended Q&A and wrap up – Kaitlin Tucker, NC Water Resources Research Institute
- We invite you to participate in a discussion or extended Q&A to better understand what gaps in research or knowledge exist related to PFAS in water and wastewater and what challenges still need to be overcome.
11:15 am: Webinar ends
Workshop 3: Gaining Ground: PFAS Treatment and Removal Using Destructive Techniques
Date: Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Time: 1:00pm-3:15pm
Description: Learn about the latest research and technologies being used to treat and remove PFAS from water, wastewater, and biosolids. Utilities will share their experience and future plans to manage PFAS and time will be spent discussing research on incomplete destruction and the fate of PFAS after removal.
Agenda
1:00pm: Welcome and Introductions – Kaitlin Tucker, NC Water Resources Research Institute
1:05pm: Stories from Utilities Working to Treat for PFAS – Michael Borchers, City of Greensboro, Glenn Walker, Brunswick County, and Carel Vandermeyden, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority
1:45pm: Granular Activated Carbon Adsorption – Dr. Detlef Knappe, North Carolina State University
2:10pm: Evaluation of different PFAS destruction technologies – Dr. Max Krause, US Environmental Protection Agency
2:35pm: Deeper dive into destructive technologies: PFAS fate and incineration – Lloyd Winchell, Brown and Caldwell
3:00pm: Facilitated discussion – Kaitlin Tucker, NC Water Resources Research Institute
- We invite you to participate in a discussion or extended Q&A to better understand what gaps in research or knowledge exist related to PFAS in water and wastewater and what challenges still need to be overcome.
3:15pm: Webinar ends