Research into surrogate compounds that can be used as standards to evaluate the
effectiveness of activated carbon and ion exchange technologies in removing a
wide range of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from drinking water has
been funded by the Water Quality Research Foundation (WQRF). University of
British Columbia researchers will discuss their work in a July 23 webinar.

The results will inform better testing protocols for water filtration systems as
public water suppliers work to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
regulations and consumers become more aware of these contaminants in
drinking water supplies.

Also known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are manmade chemical compounds that
persist in the environment for long periods of time.  For decades, PFAS chemicals
have been used in industry and consumer products, from nonstick cookware to
stain-resistant furniture. Consequently, PFAS have been detected in the
environment and ultimately in water supplies, with higher levels observed in
areas affected by industrial activities.

While drinking water continues to be a source for exposure to PFAS and municipal
water entities work to deal with the new drinking water regulation, there is
growing interest in point-of-use and point-of-entry technologies as a means of
remediating PFAS, both in small water systems and for individual homeowners.

In addition to identifying surrogate compounds to represent both regulated and
unregulated PFAS compounds that are present in water, this research has helped
to underscore the crucial role of PFAS characteristics, such as chain length and
functional group, in determining adsorption properties.

Dr. Madjid Mohseni and Dr. Ehsan Banayan Esfahani will participate in the
webinar and both have prior experience in PFAS research. Professor Mohseni is
scientific director of Community Circle, a nonprofit organization focusing on
achieving socioeconomically and technologically sustainable outcomes in water
health for indigenous and rural communities. Esfahani, a postdoctoral fellow,
completed his Ph.D. on novel treatment technologies for PFAS and is involved in

several PFAS treatment projects based on adsorption and destruction techniques,
as well as conducting field studies at PFAS-contaminated sites.

The surrogate study is not a new research concept for WQRF; a 1998 study
identified chloroform as a surrogate for 53 regulated organic chemicals that
helped to lay the groundwork in NSF/ANSI standards for carbon filter
manufacturers to test removal effectiveness.

The PFAS surrogate project will be discussed in a free WQRF Summer School
webinar at noon, ET, on Tuesday, July 23. For more information or to register,
visit wqrf.org/webinars.

Deadline: Oct. 2, 2024
From public utilities to consultants and researchers, the water reuse community is defined by leaders and innovators. Now is your chance to give them their due.
Nominate yourself or another leader or initiative for a 2025 WateReuse Award for Excellence!
Award submissions open today and will be accepted through Oct. 2, 2024. The Awards for Excellence recognize WateReuse Assocation members, their projects, and their partnerships that have made significant contributions in support of greater adoption of water reuse. Awards will be announced
during a special awards ceremony and reception during the 2025 WateReuse Symposium, to be held March 16-19, 2025.
Questions? Contact membership@watereuse.org

App provides innovative all-in-one tools to better manage groundwater contracting businesses.

The National Ground Water Association has launched NGWA Business PRO, an innovative app designed to provide water well contractors with an all-in-one
business management tool. This new app, accessible through a user-friendly website, aims to enhance a company’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, streamline management strategies, and assist in resource management. The NGWA Business PRO offers a range of modules and capabilities specifically for
water well contractors. The various modules that are available within the app are:

Dashboard – A real-time overview of a business
Service Tickets – Swift issue resolution
Purchase Orders – Streamlined procurement
Invoices – Seamless and professional billing

To allow companies to experience the full potential of NGWA Business PRO, demo requests are available for a 30-day trial session. This trial allows companies to
experience the functionalities and benefits of the website. “Business PRO will be a valuable tool for companies to create a more-organized and successful environment,” says Terry S. Morse, CAC, CIC, NGWA chief executive officer. “The software included within the app works alongside QuickBooks Online to bring the most vital business resources into one package, which allows for increased efficiency and the ability to quickly develop projects bids, invoices, and budgets.”
Learn more about the power of NGWA Business PRO by visiting https://ngwabusinesspro.com.

The National Ground Water Association is a not-for-profit professional society and trade association for the global groundwater industry. Its members around the world include leading public- and private-sector groundwater scientists, engineers, water well system professionals, manufacturers, and suppliers of groundwater-related products and services. The association’s vision is to be the leading groundwater association advocating for responsible development, management, and use of water.