Groundwater and PFAS: State of Knowledge and Practice

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a unique class of emerging drinking water contaminants that have shown widespread occurrence in groundwater and surface water resources, and due to their toxicological characteristics are increasingly the focus of environmental protection agencies worldwide. Starting in October 2016, 37 scientists and engineers voluntarily collaborated through the National Ground Water Association to develop information for the broader groundwater community. Using a consensus-driven process that included a public comment period, their efforts resulted in Groundwater and PFAS: State of Knowledge and Practice, published earlier in 2017.

NGWA published this PFAS document to assist members and other groundwater professionals who may be tasked with investigating the transport pathways and extent of PFASs in groundwater and surface water, assessing potential risks to receptors, or designing and constructing engineering controls to manage subsurface PFAS contamination. The main purpose of this document is to summarize the current state of knowledge and practice regarding PFAS fate, transport, remediation, and treatment, recognizing that knowledge in this field is advancing. This document also aims to summarize current technologies, methods, and field procedures being used to characterize sites and test remediation and treatment technologies.