Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Sewage Sludge
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been manufactured and used by a broad range of industries since the 1940s, and there are estimated to be thousands of PFAS present in the global marketplace that are used in many consumer, commercial and industrial products.
Multiple activities still result in PFAS being released to wastewater treatment plants. Current and historical activities include industrial releases (e.g., aqueous film-forming foam, pulp and paper plants), commercial releases (e.g., car washes, industrial launderers), and down-the-drain releases from homes (e.g., use of consumer products like after-market water resistant sprays, ski wax, floor finishes, and laundering of stain or water-resistant textiles with PFAS coatings).
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continues taking important steps to research, restrict, and remediate PFAS in the environment, including in biosolids. While these agency actions are underway, the EPA recommends that states monitor biosolids for PFAS contamination, identify likely industrial discharges of PFAS, and implement industrial pretreatment requirements where appropriate. Doing so will help prevent downstream PFAS contamination and lower the concentration of PFAS in biosolids as described in Section C of the EPA’s December 2022 memo, Addressing PFAS Discharges in NPDES Permits and Through the Pretreatment Program and Monitoring Programs (pdf).
EPA Actions Related to PFAS in Sewage Sludge and Biosolids
Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS)
On January 14, 2025, the EPA released the Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) for public comment. The EPA will accept written comments from the public on the draft risk assessment (Docket ID no. EPA-HQ-OW-2024-0504) through August 14, 2025 (extended from the original March 17, 2025 deadline).
- Learn more about the Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for PFOA and PFOS
Biosolids and PFAS Research at the EPA
The EPA's research covers a wide range of areas related to biosolids. The agency provides competitive, peer-reviewed, extramural research grants to the nation’s best scientists and engineers in public and private colleges, universities, and institutions.
National Sewage Sludge Survey
The EPA is planning to conduct the Biosolids Program’s next National Sewage Sludge Survey (NSSS) in collaboration with the Effluent Guidelines Program’s POTW Influent PFAS Study. This NSSS will focus on obtaining current national concentration data on PFAS in sewage sludge. The data generated by the NSSS will help inform future risk assessments and risk management actions for sewage sludge.
- Effluent Guidelines Plan
- Learn more about the POTW Influent PFAS Study and the next National Sewage Sludge Survey
Interim Guidance on Destroying and Disposing of Certain PFAS and PFAS-Containing Materials That Are Not Consumer Products
The EPA published the first edition of this guidance as required by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20 NDAA). The FY20 NDAA directed the EPA to address the destruction and disposal of PFAS and specific PFAS-containing materials, including aqueous film-forming foam, contaminated media, textiles (other than consumer goods), and various wastes from water treatment. The 2024 updated interim guidance presents currently available information on the destruction and disposal of PFAS and PFAS-containing materials, including sewage sludge.
Joint Principles for Preventing and Managing PFAS in Biosolids
The EPA’s Office of Water, the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS), and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) have jointly developed Principles for Preventing and Managing PFAS in Biosolids.
Stakeholder Meeting Facilitation for Issues Related to PFAS and Biosolids
In 2023-2024, the EPA, with input from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and other stakeholders, convened a series of three workshops to discuss a rise in concern over PFAS in biosolids and the challenges and uncertainties for wastewater treatment plants when managing contaminated biosolids. These three workshops convened 21 participants representing both wastewater utilities and solid waste organizations, state regulating agencies, and the EPA. The purpose of these workshops was to explore the three main management options for biosolids, their benefits and challenges, and their ability to meet capacity and public health needs; identify management practices and treatment technologies to address PFAS in biosolids; and discuss practices for, and gaps in, communication related to PFAS and biosolids. This report summarizes the perspectives and thoughts that participants shared across the three meetings and in one-on-one discussions between the facilitators and participants. This summary report does not seek to demonstrate consensus or offer recommendations for action.