Addressing PFAS Treatment Challenges in Maine's Rural Water Districts: Technological and Financial Solutions for Enhanced Compliance
Description
Rural water districts in Maine are confronting significant challenges in meeting the newly established guidelines for treating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These challenges are exacerbated by the unique geographic, financial, and infrastructural constraints that characterize rural water systems. PFAS contamination, stemming from sources such as wastewater discharge from industrial facilities, runoff from firefighting areas using PFAS-containing foams and the inadequate removal of PFAS in wastewater treatment facilities, poses substantial risks to public health and environmental quality. The enhanced Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) treatment guidelines necessitate advanced, often costly, technologies for PFAS removal, which many rural districts struggle to implement due to limited budgets and outdated infrastructure. This research aims to address these issues by examining the specific difficulties faced by rural water districts in Maine and proposing viable solutions. First, the study will assess the best available data, and the current state of treatment technologies employed in these districts. By conducting a survey and analysis of existing water treatment systems, the research will identify the technological and financial gaps that impede compliance with the new guidelines. The research will then explore innovative, cost-effective treatment options and traditional technologies tailored to the needs of rural systems, such as GAC (granular activated carbon), anion-exchange, foam fractionation, and evaluate their feasibility through pilot programs. By providing a detailed analysis and practical recommendations, this research aims to enhance the capacity of rural water districts in Maine to meet enhanced PFAS treatment guidelines, thereby improving public health outcomes and ensuring environmental protection.