Study Finds Treated Wastewater May Expose Millions to PFAS

The Hill — 1-06-2025

A multi-university study found that treated municipal wastewater can remain an important source of PFAS and other fluorinated compounds entering rivers and downstream drinking-water supplies. Researchers estimated that wastewater-derived PFAS could cause some drinking-water sources to exceed federal regulatory thresholds, potentially affecting systems serving millions of Americans. The research also found that many fluorinated compounds detected in wastewater are not among the small group of PFAS currently regulated in drinking water, highlighting limits of conventional treatment.

Why This Matters

Treated wastewater is often discharged into rivers and streams that may later serve as drinking-water sources for communities downstream. As drought, population growth, and water reuse increase reliance on these supplies, understanding which contaminants survive treatment becomes increasingly important for long-term water quality and public health.

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https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5069825-forever-chemicals-wastewater-exposure-study