Infrastructure Investment to Address PFAS in Water Systems

Addressing PFAS contamination may require significant investment in your water utility infrastructure, depending on source water quality. This investment is crucial, and government funding and community initiatives all play a vital role in upgrading existing infrastructure and building new systems capable of managing PFAS pollution.

Modernizing water infrastructure is not just about addressing current PFAS contamination but also ensuring long-term sustainability. Resilient and adaptive infrastructure can better prepare water systems to handle emerging contaminants and future challenges. Communities are not alone, and water utilities have many resources to begin implementing these changes.

• Federal and State Grants play a pivotal role in supporting infrastructure upgrades. They provide essential financial resources for water utilities to implement advanced PFAS treatment technologies. Programs such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) offer low-interest loans and grants to help utilities finance upgrades. Expanding funding programs, streamlining grant application processes, and ensuring that financial resources are accessible to all communities (especially underserved areas) will be crucial in driving infrastructure improvements.
• Recent legislative efforts have increased funding for PFAS remediation. Such legislative support is critical in driving large-scale investments and ensuring utilities have the financial backing necessary to tackle PFAS contamination.

Enhancing community engagement and education are keys to sustaining long-term efforts to combat PFAS contamination. Empowering residents with knowledge about PFAS risks and involving them in decision-making processes will ensure that infrastructure investments align with community needs and priorities. By fostering collaboration, leveraging financial resources, and prioritizing community engagement, we can create resilient water systems that ensure safe drinking water for all.

Contact Director of Business Development, Theresa Criss-Hartwig, to ask how Commonwealth Engineers can help your utility plan ahead and obtain financing to address emerging contaminants, such as PFAS, and ensure the resiliency of your water utility for many years to come.