EPA at 50: Helping Address Emerging Water Challenges

 

 

EPA at 50: Helping Address Emerging Water Challenges   WASHINGTON (February 24, 2020) — This month, in celebration of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 50th anniversary, the agency is highlighting progress in protecting America's waters. This final week of February features EPA actions to meet emerging water challenges, including supporting innovative solutions like water reuse, recruiting the next generation of water sector workforce and helping states and local communities address PFAS. "While acknowledging significant accomplishments the agency and its partners have made in providing Americans with access to safe water, we also see emerging challenges that require collaborative and creative solutions," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Dave Ross. "Together, we are leading efforts to address these challenges to protect public health and the environment while supporting the economy—today and for future generations." EPA is helping address a number of emerging challenges, including bolstering safe and reliable water supplies for human consumption, agriculture, business, industry, recreation and healthy ecosystems. While the U.S. uses less freshwater today than 25 years ago—even as population and productivity grow—40 states anticipate some freshwater shortages within their borders over the next decade. Diversifying the nation's water portfolio is a priority for the Trump Administration and EPA is answering that challenge by advancing water reuse technology, which has the potential to ensure the viability of our water economy for generations to come. This week EPA will unveil the next step under the National Water Reuse Action Plan, a collaborative effort that represents the first initiative of its magnitude to be coordinated across the water sector. Actions taken under this plan will bolster the sustainability, security and resilience of the nation's water resources. For more on water reuse, visit: https://www.epa.gov/waterreuse. As EPA works to promote strategies and technologies to help address the country's water challenges, the agency is also working to highlight the importance of recruiting and training the next generation of water utility operators to implement those approaches. With approximately one-third of drinking water and wastewater utility operators eligible to retire in the next 10 years, EPA is helping utilities attract and maintain qualified operators—everyday environmental heros who protect public health and the environment. On September 24, 2019, EPA announced its Water Workforce Initiative, which will support cities and communities facing critical staffing shortages. For more information on EPA's efforts to support the water workforce, visit: https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/water-sector-workforce and https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/learn-about-workforce-issues. Additionally, aggressively addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is an active and ongoing priority for the EPA. One year ago, the agency announced its PFAS Action Plan—the agency's first multi-media, multi-program, national communication and research plan to address an emerging environmental challenge like PFAS. EPA continues to make progress implementing this plan, including last week's proposed regulatory determinations for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in drinking water. For additional information on this action, visit www.epa.gov/safewater. For more on EPA's 50th Anniversary and how the agency is protecting America's waters, visit: https://www.epa.gov/50. Follow EPA's 50th Anniversary celebration on social media using #EPAat50.

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EPA Extends Public Comment Period on Proposed Cleanup Plan to Address Groundwater Contamination

 

 

CONTACT: rodriguez.elias@epa.gov   EPA Extends Public Comment Period on Proposed Cleanup Plan to Address Groundwater Contamination at the Ringwood Mines/Landfill Superfund Site in New Jersey RINGWOOD, N.J. (February 24, 2020) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the public comment period for its proposed cleanup plan to address groundwater and mine water contamination at the Ringwood Mines/Landfill Superfund Site in Ringwood, New Jersey to April 2, 2020. EPA's proposed plan to address contaminants in groundwater at the site provides for the installation of wells near the Peters Mine Pit and Peters Mine Pit Airshaft, perpendicular to the direction of groundwater flow, to introduce an oxygen-releasing compound into the aquifer to enhance the breakdown of contaminants. EPA's proposed plan also addresses contaminants in mine water in the Peters Mine Pit Airshaft by adding granular activated carbon and resin into the Peters Mine Pit Airshaft to treat contaminants. The Peters Mine Pit Airshaft would then be closed using conventional mine shaft closure technology. The specific technology will be determined during the design of the cleanup. With these combined actions, EPA expects to address an ongoing source of groundwater contamination and help the aquifer to recover. This plan also provides for long-term groundwater and surface water monitoring with regular reporting to ensure the protection of drinking water resources. Throughout the cleanup, EPA will monitor the cleanup progress and, after the remedy has been fully implemented, and conduct its statutory review of the cleanup at least every 5 years to ensure its effectiveness. Under the proposed plan, the estimated cost of cleanup is approximately $3.4 million. The EPA held a public meeting to explain and to receive comments on the proposed plan on February 10, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at the Martin J. Ryerson Middle School, 130 Valley Road, Ringwood, New Jersey. Written comments on the proposed plan, postmarked no later than close of business April 2, 2020, may be mailed or emailed to: Joseph A. Gowers, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, New York, NY 10007, Email: gowers.joe@epa.gov. To view the EPA's proposed plan for the groundwater and mine water at the site, please visit www.epa.gov/superfund/ringwood-mines Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://facebook.com/eparegion2 20-012

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EPA Honors Virginia Company for Leading the Way to a Healthy Future

 

 

Contact: R3press@epa.gov EPA Honors Virginia Company for Leading the Way to a Healthy Future PHILADELPHIA (February 19, 2020) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the 2018 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis with TTM Technologies, Inc., at an event in Sterling, Virginia, Feb. 11.  Findings from this publicly available report show an increase in recycling of TRI chemical wastes nationwide and indicate that companies continue to find ways to implement new source reduction activities and reduce the quantities of TRI chemicals they release into the environment. For example, continued progress in the area of wastewater treatment enabled TTM Technologies to introduce a new system in 2019. TTM invested in installing a new Ion Exchange (IX) system, which provides more than three times the capacity and improved metal recovery efficiency and reduced treatment chemical consumption.  "By providing the data in the TRI National Analysis, EPA is empowering communities to protect their environment and providing companies with the information they need to work toward a stronger future," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "The latest TRI data continue to demonstrate that under President Trump environmental stewardship and economic growth continue to go hand in hand." "EPA's most recent release of TRI data illustrates continued reductions in many categories of toxic chemical releases. While in any given year there are fluctuations in reported releases, over the long term it is clear that businesses are increasing efficiency and reducing emissions of potentially harmful substances," said EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. "The Toxics Release Inventory is an important tool that helps citizens understand how facilities in their communities operate, which helps both the communities and the companies work together for a cleaner and safer future." "Printed circuit board fabrication in the United States is essential to defense systems and other critical applications. Producing these essential products reliably and without increased cost to the environment is a challenge that IPC-member company. TTM Technologies continuously strives to win," said Kelly Scanlon, director of environment, health and safety policy and research at IPC, the association representing electronics manufacturers. "It's great to see their sustainability efforts get recognition by the EPA." In 2018, facilities in EPA's Mid-Atlantic Region reported managing 6.1 billion pounds of production-related chemical waste, 80 percent of which was managed through recycling. Also, in 2018, six percent of TRI facilities in the Mid=Atlantic implemented new source reduction activities. Source reduction reporting rates were among the highest in the plastics and rubber sector, where 12 percent of facilities reported at least one source reduction activity.   This year's National Analysis expands the focus on geographical trends in chemical waste management across the country. New features include profiles exploring the diversity of industrial operations in each EPA region and a closer look at data from the hazardous waste management sector and the aerospace manufacturing sector. The National Analysis showcases industry practices for managing waste and reducing pollution at nearly 22,000 facilities that submitted TRI data for calendar year 2018. EPA encourages facilities to learn from their counterparts' best practices and adopt additional methods for reducing pollution. To further highlight these industry best practices, EPA is holding events in EPA regions at facilities that implemented new source reduction activities. These facilities demonstrate how innovative projects can help industry reduce the generation of chemical pollution and improve their environmental performance. 2018 highlights: Releases of TRI-covered chemicals into the environment from the manufacturing sector were lower than expected based on economic activity. Facilities initiated 3,120 new activities to prevent or reduce the creation of chemical waste. Nationally, the percent of industrial chemical waste that is recycled instead of released continued to increase. Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), covered facilities must report their annual releases of TRI chemicals for the prior calendar year to EPA by July 1. EPA, states and tribes receive TRI data from facilities in industry sectors such as manufacturing, mining, electric utilities and commercial hazardous waste management. The Pollution Prevention Act also requires facilities to submit information on pollution prevention and other waste management activities of TRI chemicals. To access the 2018 TRI National Analysis, including local data and analyses, visit www.epa.gov/trinationalanalysis.  For more information on the TRI program, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program. Information on facility efforts to reduce TRI chemical releases is available at www.epa.gov/tri/p2.

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EPA Announces Proposed Decision to Regulate PFOA and PFOS in Drinking Water

 

 

EPA Announces Proposed Decision to Regulate PFOA and PFOS in Drinking Water   WASHINGTON (Feb. 20, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took another important step in implementing the Agency's PFAS Action Plan by proposing regulatory determinations for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in drinking water. Today's preliminary determinations mark a key milestone in EPA's extensive efforts under the PFAS Action Plan to help communities address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) nationwide. "The U.S. leads the world in providing access to safe drinking water for its citizens, thanks in part to EPA's implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "Under President Trump's leadership, EPA is following through on its commitment in the Action Plan to evaluate PFOA and PFOS under this Act." Aggressively addressing Per and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) is an ongoing and high priority effort for EPA. EPA's PFAS Action Plan commits the agency to take important steps that will enhance how the agency researches, monitors, detects and addresses PFAS. Over the past year, EPA has made significant progress under the Action Plan to help states and local communities address PFAS. Through today's action, EPA is seeking public comment on its proposed regulatory determinations for eight contaminants listed on the fourth Contaminant Candidate List. The Agency is proposing to regulate two contaminants, PFOS and PFOA. EPA is also asking for information and data on other PFAS substances, as well as seeking comment on potential monitoring requirements and regulatory approaches EPA is considering for PFAS chemicals. The Agency is proposing to not regulate six contaminants: 1,1-dichloroethane, acetochlor, methyl bromide, metolachlor, nitrobenzene, and RDX. EPA will seek comment on these preliminary determinations for 60 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register. For additional information on EPA's efforts to address PFAS, visit https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/aggressively-addressing-pfas-epa. For additional information on this action, visit www.epa.gov/safewater. Background The Safe Drinking Water Act establishes a robust scientific and public participation process that guide EPA's development of regulations for unregulated contaminants that may present a risk to public health. Every five years, EPA must publish a list of contaminants, known as the Contaminant Candidate List or CCL, that are known or anticipated to occur in public water systems and are not currently subject to EPA drinking water regulations. The EPA publishes draft CCLs for public comment and considers those comments prior to issuing final lists. After issuing the final CCL, the EPA determines whether or not to regulate no fewer than five contaminants on the CCL through a process known as a Regulatory Determination. The EPA publishes preliminary regulatory determinations for public comment and considers those comments prior to making final regulatory determinations. If the EPA makes a positive regulatory determination for any contaminant, it will begin the process to establish a national primary drinking water regulation for that contaminant. Background on the PFAS Action Plan PFAS are a large group of man-made chemicals used in consumer products and industrial processes. In use since the 1940s, PFAS are resistant to heat, oils, stains, grease, and water—properties which contribute to their persistence in the environment. The Agency's PFAS Action Plan is the first multi-media, multi-program, national research, management, and risk communication plan to address a challenge like PFAS. The plan responds to the extensive public input the agency received during the PFAS National Leadership Summit, multiple community engagements and through the public docket. The PFAS Action Plan outlines the tools EPA is developing to assist states, tribes and communities in addressing PFAS. EPA is taking the following highlighted actions: Highlighted Action: Drinking Water EPA is committed to following the national primary drinking water regulation rulemaking process as established by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). On February 20, 2020, EPA issued preliminary determinations to regulate PFOA and PFOS. The agency is also gathering and evaluating information to determine if regulation is appropriate for other chemicals in the PFAS family. Highlighted Action: Cleanup On December 19, 2019, EPA issued  Interim Recommendations for Addressing Groundwater Contaminated with PFOA and PFOS, which provides cleanup guidance for federal cleanup programs that will be helpful to states and tribes. EPA has initiated the regulatory development process for listing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). Highlighted Action: Monitoring EPA will propose nationwide drinking water monitoring for PFAS under the next UCMR monitoring cycle. Highlighted Action: Toxics On September 25, 2019, EPA issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking that would allow the public to provide input on adding PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory toxic chemical list. On February 20, 2020, EPA issued a supplemental proposal to ensure that new uses of certain persistent long-chain PFAS chemicals in surface coatings cannot be manufactured or imported into the United States without notification and review under TSCA. On February 20, 2020, EPA released an updated list of 172 PFAS chemicals subject to Toxics Release Inventory reporting as required by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. Highlighted Action: Surface Water Protection EPA is exploring data availability and research to support the development of Clean Water Act human health and aquatic life criteria for certain PFAS, as data allows. EPA is examining available information about PFAS released into surface waters by industrial sources to determine if additional study is needed for potential regulation. Highlighted Action: Biosolids EPA is in the early scoping stages of risk assessments for PFOA and PFOS in biosolids to understand any potential health impacts. Highlighted Action: Research On November 22, 2019, EPA announced availability of $4.8 million in funding for new research on managing PFAS in agriculture. EPA continues to compile and assess human and ecological toxicity information on PFAS to support risk management decisions. EPA continues to develop new methods to test for additional PFAS in drinking water. The agency is also validating analytical methods for surface water, ground water, wastewater, soils, sediments and biosolids; developing new methods to test for PFAS in air and emissions; and improving laboratory methods to discover unknown PFAS. EPA is developing exposure models to understand how PFAS moves through the environment to impact people and ecosystems. EPA continues to assess and review treatment methods for removing PFAS in drinking water. EPA is working to develop tools to assist officials with the cleanup of contaminated sites. Highlighted Action: Enforcement EPA uses enforcement tools, when appropriate, to address PFAS exposure in the environment and assists states in enforcement activities. EPA has already taken actions to address PFAS, including issuing Safe Drinking Water Act orders and providing support to states. See examples in the PFAS Action Plan. Highlighted Action: Risk Communications EPA is working collaboratively to develop a risk communication toolbox that includes multi-media materials and messaging for federal, state, tribal, and local partners to use with the public.

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EPA awards grants to college students

 

 

Contact: R3press@epa.gov EPA awards grants to college students Students designs to aid in environmental and public health challenges  PHILADELPHIA (Feb. 20, 2020) – The Mid-Atlantic Region of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today the award of three undergraduate and graduate student grants through the EPA's People, Prosperity, and the Planet (P3) Student Design Competition Program. EPA awarded approximately $447,000 in funding for 18 teams of undergraduate and graduate students across the country through its People, Prosperity, and the Planet (P3) Student Design Competition Program. Each team will receive a Phase I grant of up to $25,000 to develop their sustainable designs that will help solve important environmental and public health challenges. Mid-Atlantic Region grantees include the following student teams from Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C.: Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Penn., to create a paper test to detect lead in tap water. Howard University, Washington, D.C., to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va., to develop a low-cost portable desalination system using wave and solar renewable energy, that can be modified for personal use or the use in small communities. "The innovative ideas that these P3 teams are bringing out of the classroom and into the real world will help solve some of our nation's most pressing environmental challenges," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "From creating a simple at-home test for consumers to detect lead in tap water to designing a system to remove toxic chemicals from landfill gas, the fresh thinking behind these projects will result in tangible products that will help Americans for generations to come." These teams will showcase their projects at EPA's National Student Design Expo on June 29-30 at the TechConnect World Innovation Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. Following the Expo, the P3 teams may compete for Phase II awards of up to $100,000 to further implement their designs. Grantees include student teams from the following universities: "These P3 grants are a great way for hard-working, devoted college students to put their talents together to assist EPA in finding solutions to some of the environmental and human health challenges we face today," said Cosmo Servidio, Regional Administrator, EPA Mid-Atlantic Region. "These student proposals for Region 3 – a self-sustainable portable desalination system using wave and solar renewable energy, a pollution control strategy intended to reduce nutrient emissions and a plan to develop a simple and inexpensive paper test for lead in tap water – are quite impressive and will go a long way in EPA's fundamental responsibility protecting human health and the environment."

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