Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl
Substances (PFAS)

The Joint FWEAUC and Florida Section of the American Water Works Association Water Utility Council (WUC) PFAS committee remains engaged on numerous PFAS rule and law developments. This includes a couple of our FWEAUC Trending Topics.

However, many more PFAS actions are expected in the coming years including for biosolids. In addition, how will current and future rules affect water reuse applications and effluent management strategies? The Joint FWEAUC and WUC PFAS committee is the number one forum for Florida’s water community to stay informed on PFAS laws and rules through a professional dialogue and collaboration with other state and national organizations.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 5,000 human made chemicals contained in a wide variety of useful and important products (please see photo 2). PFAS are often termed “Forever Chemicals” because their chemical properties allow them to persist almost everywhere and forever. Due to potential human health risks, some PFAS compounds have been banned and new environmental laws and rules are forthcoming.

While their chemistry can be straight forward in a laboratory, how PFAS are handled within the legislative and regulatory realms remains a complex process moving forward in Washington D.C. and Tallahassee. In addition, large scale litigation (please click here for an example) rolled out across the nation’s courtrooms and more cases will likely follow.

Within this backdrop, the FWEAUC and the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association Water Utility Council (WUC) formed a Joint PFAS committee in Fall 2021 to provide a forum to track, discuss, and respond (as needed) to several PFAS legislative and regulatory proposals. The group especially tracks the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) PFAS Strategic Roadmap progress (please click here).

Committee membership is open to any member of the FWEAUC and/or WUC, and if you are interested in joining the committee please contact us below.