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Addressing PFAS in Drinking Water with the
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
Communities may use the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) to reduce this public
health concern in their drinking water systems.
BACKGROUND
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a
group of man-made chemicals that have been in use
since the 1940s. Two of the most studied PFAS are
perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfiuorooctane
sulfonate (PFOS). PFAS are (or have been) found in
a wide array of consumer products like cookware,
food packaging, and stain and water repellants used
in fabrics, carpets and outerwear.
PFAS manufacturing and processing facilities, and
airports and military installations that use firefighting
foams which contain PFAS, are some of the
contributors of PFAS chemical releases into the air,
soil, and water, including sources of drinking water.
Because of their widespread use and environmental
persistence, most people have been exposed to PFAS
chemicals. There is evidence that exposure to certain
PFAS may lead to adverse health effects.
TREATING PFAS IN DRINKING WATER
EPA has found there are technologies that can
remove PFAS from drinking water. These effective
technologies include activated carbon treatment, ion
exchange resins, and high pressure membranes, like
nanofiltration or reverse osmosis.
Activated carbon is often used in a granular form
called granular activated carbon (GAC). Ion
exchange resins are like tiny powerful magnets that
attract and hold the contaminated materials from
passing through the water system. High pressure
membranes are typically more than 90 percent
effective at removing a wide range of PFAS.
Detailed treatment information:
https://www.epa.gov/sciencematters/reducinq-pfas-drinkinq-water-treatment-
technoloqies
EPA Treatability Database:
https://oaspub.epa.gov/tdb/paqes/qeneral/home.do
OFFICE OF GROUND WATER
• AND DRINKING WATER

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EPA OGWDW | Addressing PFAS in Drinking Water with the DWSRF
EPA 816-F-18-007 March 2019
DWSRF ASSISTANCE
The DWSRF can provide financial assistance to
publicly-owned and privately-owned community
water systems, as well as non-profit non-community
water systems, for drinking water infrastructure
projects. Projects must either facilitate the system's
compliance with national primary drinking water
regulations or significantly further the health
protection objectives of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
PFAS chemicals qualify as emerging contaminants, as
well as synthetic organic chemicals (SOCs), and
infrastructure needs related to addressing PFAS are
eligible projects.
Each of the 50 states and Puerto Rico operates its own
DWSRF program. They receive annual capitalization
grants from the EPA, which in turn provide low-
interest loans and other types of assistance to water
systems. Repayments of DWSRF loans begin one year
after project completion, with loan terms up to 30
years for most communities, or up to 40 years for
disadvantaged communities.
Additionally, states may use a portion of their
capitalization grant from the EPA as "set-asides" to
help communities build the technical, managerial, and
financial capacities of their systems. With an emphasis
on small systems, these funds help ensure sustainable
infrastructure and public health investments.
Treatment
DWSRF assistance can be used to fund equipment
and upgrade treatment technologies, like building a
new treatment plant or expanding an existing facility
to add PFAS removal capability. Set-asides may be
used for laboratory or testing equipment for research
or contamination prevention.
Equipment and Training
Although routine/compliance monitoring is not eligible
for DWSRF funding, equipment and training for
system operators may be an eligible set-aside activity.
This may include one-time monitoring at a system to
show operators how to conduct the monitoring
themselves. Additionally, states with a synthetic
organic chemical monitoring waiver program in place
can use set-aside funds to assist with special-purpose
monitoring of synthetic organic chemicals, including
PFAS, at local facilities that have not previously tested
for them.
APPLY FOR FUNDING
Water systems receive DWSRF assistance directly
from state agencies. Each state has its own application
procedure. Contact information for each state is
posted at https://www.epa.aov/drinkinQwatersrf/
state-dwsrf-website-and-contacts.
Additional Resources
EPA Resources: https: //www.eoa .gov/pfas
Interstate Technology Regulatory Council: https://pfas-l.itrcweb.org/fact-sheets/
Sample Training for PFAS Sampling: http://www.newmoa.org/events/docs/228/PFAS Sampling Chiang Aug2016.pdf

For more information, visit: epa.gov/drinkingwatersrf

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DWSRF Case Studies: PFAS in Drinking Water
How communities are using the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) to address this
public health concern in drinking water systems.
LITCHFIELD, NH
In Litchfield, New Hampshire, perfluorooctanoic acid
(PFOA) was identified in 370 private wells. In
response, the Pennichuck East Utility (PELJ) used
DWSRF funding to improve water supply capacity for
the PEL) water systems in Litchfield, Pelham,
Windham, and Londonderry by interconnecting the
Pennichuck Water Works distribution system on the
west side of the Merrimack River in Merrimack, with
the part of the water distribution system operated by
PEL) in Litchfield, on the east side of the river. This
project improved the capacity of PEU and allowed
those with PFOA detected in their wells to connect to
the existing public water system. Construction began
in April 2018. DWSRF assistance for this project
totaled over $2.4 million.
PENNS GROVE, NJ
In Salem County, New Jersey, DWSRF funding was
used to add treatment for PFOA to the New Jersey
American Water system in the Borough of Penns
Grove, which serves approximately 10,900 people.
Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) treatment was
selected for the PFOA removal. The new treatment
plant cost approximately $12.2 million to construct,
plus annual operating and maintenance costs of
$80,000. This project was completed in 2014. Testing
shows that the GAC had still not reached its half-life
after treating over 230 million gallons of water.
EPA Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFOA & PFOS:
https: //www, epa.aov /sites/production/fi les/2016-
OS/documents/drinkinciwaterhealthadyisories pfoa pfos updated 5.31.16.pdf
A OFFICE OF GROUND WATER
• AND DRINKING WATER

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EPA OGWDW | DWSRF Case Studies: PFAS in Drinking Water
BLADES, DE
In 2018, the Town of Blades, Delaware, found
perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) in its three wells. The
water system serves approximately 1,200 people. The
Town opted to add GAC to its treatment facility using an
adsorption process. The facility had difficulty finding a
suitable indoor location, therefore it was placed outside
the treatment building, where they laid a new foundation
and plumbing to accommodate the equipment. The
facility has cited no problems with start-up or operations
and almost immediately reached non-detect levels of
PFAS in the finished drinking water. Due to the relatively
low flows, the Town anticipates that the GAC will last four
to five years before needing reactivation. This may be
adjusted with future testing results if needed. The Town
plans to add a second GAC bed (so that one is always in
service) and intends to construct an insulated space for
the equipment to prevent the exposed sampling ports
from freezing in winter. The total cost of the first GAC
filter, engineering, and installation are estimated at
$200,000. Although this project was funded by the State
of Delaware, similar projects would be eligible for DWSRF
assistance.
BARNSTABLE, MA
In 2013, PFOS was identified in several wells in
Barnstable, Massachusetts. To provide alternative
drinking water to those customers affected, DWSRF
funding was used to conduct a planning study which
resulted in the recommendation to construct several
permanent interconnections between the Hyannis Water
System, the Barnstable Fire District, and the nearby
communities of Centerville, Yarmouth, Osterville, and
Marstons Mills. The Hyannis Water System provides
drinking water to 7,500 customers. Construction began
in September 2017. DWSRF assistance for this project
totaled approximately $4.6 million, including
approximately $40,000 in principal forgiveness.
EPA 816-F-18-008 March 2019
PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI
Activities from a nearby industrial plant resulted in the
presence of PFAS throughout Plainfield Township,
Michigan, which has a population of approximately
28,800 people. In June 2018, the Township replaced
two of the four existing sand and anthracite coal
filters with GAC filters, resulting in no detectable PFAS
in the finished water. When combined with the water
from the two existing filters, the blended finished
water detected 2.1 parts per trillion for PFOS with no
detectable levels of PFOA. Using only the new filters,
the plant can treat 9 million gallons per day, more
than twice the Township's average day demand. The
total project cost is estimated at $700,000. Although
this project was funded by the State of Michigan,
similar projects would be eligible for DWSRF
assistance.
LOCAL ASSISTANCE SET-ASIDE USE IN MI
Starting in 2019, the State of Michigan will use
DWSRF set-aside funds to address PFAS in drinking
water. Michigan will use the Local Assistance Set-
Aside to: 1) update and distribute technical guidance
related to PFAS detections in surface water systems
as needed, and 2) assist public water systems
vulnerable to PFAS contamination, including
providing information on treatment technologies.
Education and training will help improve the local
knowledge and capabilities of drinking water systems
throughout Michigan, consequently leading to further
capacity development.
APPLY FOR FUNDING
Water systems receive DWSRF assistance directly
from state agencies. Each state has its own
application procedure. Contact information for each
state is posted at https://www.epa.aov/drinkina
watersrf/state-dwsrf-website-and-contacts.
C
^ For more information, visit: epa.gov/drinkingwatersrf

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