New PFAS Regulations for PA Wastewater Treatment Plants
What You Need to Know: Understanding the Latest Compliance Requirements
Last year, Pennsylvania implemented new wastewater treatment testing requirements for PFAS monitoring as part of the NPDES permit renewal program, marking a significant shift in compliance obligations for wastewater treatment plants and industrial users. After testing is completed, you may have these analytes added to your permit.
These updates, aimed at tracking and reducing PFAS contamination, require facilities to adopt strict testing schedules based on their permit renewal analysis results, permit type and discharge levels.
What Are the New PFAS Monitoring Requirements
If any of the four EPA 1633 PFAS compounds are detected above the TQL (Total Quantitation Limit) during the Permit Renewal Analysis process, monitoring is required quarterly.
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- If all four compounds are not detected (ND) at or below the TQL, monitoring is required annually.
- If four consecutive monitoring periods show ND below the TQL, monitoring can be discontinued.
- PA NPDES Permits with an Industrial Pretreatment Program
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- Facilities must monitor 40 PFAS compounds in influent, effluent, and biosolids for 12 consecutive quarters.
- Industrial Users of publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) in specific EPA-identified categories must conduct annual PFAS monitoring for five years.
Industries Affected by New PFAS Monitoring Rules
The EPA has identified industries with a high risk of PFAS discharges, including:
- Airports
- Centralized waste treatment facilities
- Electroplating & metal finishing
- Electronics & semiconductor manufacturing
- Fire training facilities
- Landfills
- Leather tanning & finishing
- Organic chemicals, plastics, and synthetic fibers
- Pulp & paper mills
- Textile mills
- Any site known or suspected of PFAS contamination
If your facility falls into one of these categories, it is essential to start planning for compliance now.
What This Means for Wastewater Treatment Plants and Industrial Users
- Increased Monitoring and Compliance Pressure – Regulatory agencies are placing greater emphasis on tracking PFAS contamination, which means wastewater treatment plants must be prepared for long-term monitoring obligations. With quarterly and annual testing cycles, plants need a reliable PFAS testing partner to stay compliant and avoid potential violations.
- Data Accuracy and Defensibility Matter More Than Ever – Because PFAS are measured in parts per trillion (ppt), highly sensitive laboratory methods are required. Choosing an experienced, accredited lab that follows EPA 1633 method requirements is crucial.
- Potential Impact on Industrial Clients and Pretreatment Programs – Industrial users discharging to POTWs must assess their risk level and determine whether pretreatment adjustments are necessary. PFAS can be persistent in industrial processes, requiring source identification and potential mitigation strategies.
How Suburban Testing Labs Can Help
As an environmental lab with decades of expertise, Suburban Testing Labs is ready to support wastewater treatment plants and industrial users with reliable PFAS analysis. Here’s how we can help:
✅ EPA 1633-Compliant PFAS Testing – Our laboratory follows strict quality control protocols to ensure defensible, accurate data.
✅ Fast Turnaround Times – We understand compliance deadlines and provide timely results to keep your facility on track.
✅ Regulatory Guidance & Support – Our experts help interpret test results and provide insights on next steps for compliance.
✅ Customized Monitoring Programs – We tailor sampling and testing plans to fit your permit requirements.
Act Now: Ensure Your Facility Is Ready
Regulatory compliance starts with proactive testing and monitoring. Whether you are a municipal wastewater plant, an industrial discharger, or a pretreatment facility, staying ahead of PFAS regulations is critical.
About Suburban Testing Labs
Suburban Testing Labs specializes in environmental testing and regulatory compliance support for public water systems. From our state-of-the-art facility, we deliver reliable, timely results that empower clients to protect their communities and meet regulatory requirements.
Suburban Testing Labs: Trusted. Reliable. Local.
Want to learn more about our testing capabilities or how we can support your operations? Contact us today for a personalized consultation or quotation. Email us at sales@suburbantestinglabs.com or fill out our contact form for a quick response.