INVESTIGATING THE OCCURRENCE OF PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) IN RIVERS AND AT WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES IN MASSACHUSETTS

The USGS is working collaboratively with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to understand the areal extent, presence, and magnitude of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) concentrations in Massachusetts rivers and streams; and to investigate the presence and magnitude of PFAS passing through wastewater treatment facilities and within the collection systems of municipalities that contribute to the wastewater discharged to rivers within the Commonwealth. In 2020, samples were collected three times during base-flow conditions in 27 rivers upstream and downstream of wastewater treatment facilities and in rivers not affected by wastewater discharges. In 2022-23, samples of wastewater influent, effluent, and residuals were collected quarterly at nine wastewater treatment facilities and in the receiving river water. Currently (2023), the USGS is sampling wastewater influent, effluent, and residuals at six wastewater treatment facilities and at pump stations within the municipalities. Samples collected at the pump stations represent different sources of wastewater, such as residential only, municipal, industrial, septage and food wastes, and landfill leachate. The presentation will include a description of the study design and how it evolved, description of the 2020 river results, comparison of 2020 with 2022-23 river results, and brief description of preliminary wastewater influent, effluent, and residuals results.