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Decontamination of Plumbing Pipes Contaminated with Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF)
Citation:
Szabo, Jeff, M. Magnuson, S. Witt, D. Schupp, N. Sojda, AND B. Murugesan. Decontamination of Plumbing Pipes Contaminated with Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF). REMTEC/Emerging Contaminants Summit, Westminster, CO, October 04 - 06, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the lead federal agency responsible for working with water utilities to protect water distribution systems from contamination and to clean up systems that become contaminated. Intentional and unintentional contamination of distribution systems can result in large amounts of water and miles of infrastructure that must be cleaned to return the system to service. The EPA conducts full and pilot scale research to address contamination in water systems. Home plumbing can be contaminated with PFAS from aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) through accidental backflow resulting from firefighting related activities, including back-siphoning during routine maintenance of equipment. As of now, no known, intentional studies of PFAS persistence on any home plumbing materials have been performed. Furthermore, flushing is the primary method available for homeowners to decontaminate their home plumbing. This study examined the effect of flushing on the persistence of PFAS in plumbing pipes, and if stagnation caused PFAS to reappear in the water after flushing. Data produced from this research will give water utilities and homeowners information on whether flushing their plumbing is effective at removing PFAS from AFFF.
Description:
Poster to be presented at the REMTEC/Emerging Contaminants Summit. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the lead federal agency responsible for working with water utilities to protect water distribution systems from contamination and to clean up systems that become contaminated. Intentional and unintentional contamination of distribution systems can result in large amounts of water and miles of infrastructure that must be cleaned to return the system to service. The EPA conducts full and pilot scale research to address contamina-tion in water systems.