PFAS

The Forever Chemical

Or is it? Our water infrastructure experts are implementing solutions to remove the harmful FINGERPRINTS left by PFAS.

What is PFAS?

Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a group of human-made chemicals used in a variety of products for their water- and stain-resistant properties. While the chemicals introduced into these everyday items may benefit from their water and stain-resistant properties, the chemicals are linked to cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, increased risk of asthma and thyroid disease, and developmental effects in infants and children.

Common Sources

Nonstick cookware

Water-repellent clothing

Stain-resistant fabrics

Some firefighting foams

Certain food packaging

The EPA's Ruling

On April 10, 2024, the EPA announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS. The regulation establishes legally enforceable levels for individual PFAS MCLs and a Hazard Index MCL for PFAS mixtures. EPA evaluated over 120,000 comments submitted by the public on the rule proposal and expects that over many years, the final rule will prevent PFAS exposure in drinking water for up to 200 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of PFAS-attributable severe illnesses.

PFOA and PFOS

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt).
PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX Chemicals
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt).

The EPA's plan outlines the three major steps a utility must take to comply with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations.

Monitoring for PFAS

Public water systems must monitor for these PFAS and have three years to complete initial monitoring (by 2027), followed by ongoing compliance monitoring. Water systems must also provide the public with information on the levels of these PFAS in their drinking water beginning in 2027.

Solution Implementation

Public water systems have five years (by 2029) to implement solutions that reduce these PFAS if monitoring shows that drinking water levels exceed these MCLs.

Notification to the Public

Beginning in five years (2029), public water systems that have PFAS in drinking water which violates one or more of these MCLs must take action to reduce levels of these PFAS in their drinking water and must provide notification to the public of the violation.

National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Timeline

National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Timeline

Funding Resources for PFAS Treatment

The EPA is taking action to hold polluters accountable, reduce PFAS pollution, and help ensure the safety of our nation’s drinking water. Our team of experts are well versed in funding opportunities on both the state and local levels.  

$ 9 B

in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

$ 12 B

in funding from Drinking Water State Revolving Funds

$ 1 B

in funding from the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities(EC-SDC) Grant Program

$ 150 M

Funding was received for McKim & Creed's clients regarding PFAS and Emerging Contaminants funding.

McKim & Creed is a leader in engineering and funding efforts regarding PFAS and emerging contaminants. Our firm's submittal to FDEP was the first grant funded by FDEP for PFAS and Emerging Contaminants  

Meet Our National Experts

Phil Locke, PE

National Treatment Process Engineer

MJ Chen, PE, PhD

National Treatment Process Engineer

Josh Marlin

Project Manager

Ram Prasad

The PFAS Terminator (Investigation and Remediation)

Ally Mauck

National Funding Expert

Katie Elliott, PE

National Funding Expert

Omar Khan, PE

Project Manager

Matt Clark, PE

Project Engineer

Experience You can See

Master Plan

Water Treatment Master Plan

A city in South Florida identified the need to develop a Water Treatment Master Plan to plot the course of its water treatment plant (WTP) for the next decade including PFAS. The City selected McKim & Creed to provide professional engineering consulting services to develop the Master Plan.
PFAS Treatment

Reverse Osmosis Treatment Plant Improvements

McKim & Creed led the Town of Belleair through the new “Emerging Contaminants” Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) process and secured $3.1 million for the design of a new groundwater reverse osmosis (RO) plant.

Meet Our National Experts

Phil Locke, PE

National Treatment Process Engineer

MJ Chen, PE, PhD

National Treatment Process Engineer

Josh Marlin

Project Manager

Ram Prasad

The PFAS Terminator (Investigation and Remediation)

Ally Mauck

National Funding Expert

Katie Elliott, PE

National Funding Expert

Omar Khan, PE

Project Manager

Matt Clark, PE

Project Engineer

We're Here to Help

McKim & Creed is ready to assist you and your staff in complying with the EPA's PFAS Regulations.
Thank you! Your submission has been received! Someone from our team will contact you to assist and setup an introductory meeting.
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Connect With Us

Let's help you get prepared.
Thank you! Your submission has been received! Someone from our team will contact you to assist and setup an introductory meeting.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

We're Here To Help

McKim & Creed is ready to assist you and your staff in complying with the EPA's PFAS Regulations.
Thank you! Your submission has been received! Someone from our team will contact you to assist and setup an introductory meeting.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.