As part of its comprehensive effort to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced new investments in multiple PFAS treatment projects across Southern California.
The funding, which totals $15.7 million for seven projects, will advance concrete, tangible solutions to water contamination challenges, and is in addition to EPA’s recently announced $77.257 million investment in California communities’ efforts to address PFAS.
“EPA is laser focused on ensuring that every American has safe drinking water, and we’re proud to be providing the resources to make good on that commitment here in California,” said Acting EPA Pacific Southwest Region Administrator Michael Martucci. “This federal investment will be key to our local partners’ efforts to tackle the threat of PFAS across southern California.”
The Southern California projects receiving federal funding are:
- $2,500,0000 to La Habra Heights County Water District to construct a PFAS remediation and treatment system at five groundwater wells.
- $1,750,000 to the Orange County Water District to install an innovative ion exchange treatment system at Santa Ana’s Wells 27 and 28, to ensure treated groundwater can be safely served to residents.
- $959,752 to the City of Riverside to modify the Palmyrita Water Treatment Plant for PFAS removal and to improve drinking water infrastructure.
- $2,100,000 to the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency to construct a new treatment facility to remove PFAS contaminants from groundwater at the existing S7 well.
- $959,752 to the Santa Margarita Water District to fund a preliminary design report for the new Ranch Water Filtration Plant and support the district’s effort to provide potable reused water.
- $959,752 to the City of South Gate to treat four wells affected by PFAS contamination that supply more than 50% of the City’s total water demand.
- $6,452,972 to the Western Municipal Water District to fund rehabbing, repairing, and replacing aging sewer lines to prevent the infiltration of PFAS-contaminated groundwater into March Air Reserve Base’s sewer system.
EPA said it will continue to commit support to communities addressing PFAS and other emerging contaminants. The agency recently announced new Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) grant funding, EPA has provided $4 billion nationwide in Drinking Water State Revolving Funds dedicated to address PFAS and emerging contaminants, and more than $6.5 billion in low-interest financing available through EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan program.
EPA’s ‘PFAS OUT’ initiative looks to help utilities get proactive on contaminants
EPA recently launched its PFAS OUTreach — or PFAS OUT — initiative, that will proactively work with communities and water systems to address PFAS risks. Recognizing that small, rural, and disadvantaged water systems often have fewer resources, PFAS OUT is designed to ensure these communities are not left behind.
Source/s: U.S. EPA
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