Thursday 9th July, 1-4pm BST / 8-11am ET

Exact timings to be confirmed

​1pm BST / 8am ET

​​Welcome from Environment Analyst 

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​​​Session 5: Investigating, Analysing and Monitoring Contaminants in Surface, Ground, Storm and Drinking Water

PFAS discussion

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• Innovative methods and data-driven approaches for investigating, fate and transport modelling, risk assessing, analysing and monitoring PFAS in surface, groundwater and stormwater

• The implications of current and proposed regulations: 

  • UK Environment Agency’s approach to Groundwater Detailed Quantitative Risk Assessment (DQRA) for PFAS 

  • UK Chief Scientist’s Group health-based thresholds for managing PFAS in water 

  • EU updates to the Groundwater Directive, Water Framework Directive and Environmental Quality Standards Directive to include PFAS as priority pollutants 

  • Proposed ECHA classification of trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) as Reproductive Toxicant Category 1B, and a PMT/vPvM substance 

  • State-level discrepancies in the US on the classification of ultrashort compounds  

  • Considering what future controls and regulations are needed to reduce the impact of PFAS 

• Research into the investigations of trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) in water and ways to manage its exposure 

• Exploring the global development of alternative substances for PFAS in water 

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Panellists:

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• Oliver Loebel, Secretary General, EurEau (European Federation of National Associations of Water Services)

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6PPD-quinone

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• Innovative methods for investigating, risk assessing, analysing and monitoring 6PPD in surface and stormwater: 

  • Update on state-level monitoring and management techniques in the US 

  • Ongoing UK investigations into the prevalence of 6PPD-q in river sediments and the development of detection methods 

• The implications of current and proposed regulations: 

  • US EPA’s introduction of preliminary toxicity guidelines to protect aquatic life, development of a 6PPD-q action plan, and differing state-level regulations 

  • The Netherlands and Austria’s joint effort to restrict 6PPD in tires by 2026-2027 and the implications of this 

  • The UK Chief Scientists Group’s prioritisation of 6PPD-q for future action 

  • What future controls and regulations are needed to minimise the impact of 6PPD? 

• Global progress to identify and develop alternative substances: 

  • Action in California: Since the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) classified 6PPD in motor vehicle tires as a Priority Product under its Safer Consumer Products program, tire manufacturers must now submit a Final Alternatives Analysis by August 2026. How are they progressing? ​

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Micro and Nanoplastics and Persistent Organic Pollutants 

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• Innovative methods for investigating, risk assessing, analysing and monitoring micro and nano-plastics (MNPs) in surface, groundwater and stormwater 

  • Exploring the evolution of monitoring techniques 

• The implications of reporting requirements and regulations: 

  • Navigating the lack of monitoring requirements in the UK for MNPs 

  • Preparing for the UK’s proposed restrictions to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) 

  • How organisations are adapting to: 

    • ECHA’s mandatory reporting requirements for MNPs 

    • The US EPA’s inclusion of microplastics in the Draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List, and the divergence of state-level regulations 

  • Update on the US ARPA-H's STOMP: Systematic Targeting Of MicroPlastics programme, for measuring and researching MNPs in the human body 

• Global research into alternative materials for MNPs

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Session 6: Innovative Approaches and Technologies for Remediating Contaminants in Surface, Ground, Storm and Drinking Water 

This session will include case study presentations showcasing novel approaches and pioneering technologies for remediating, mitigating and destroying PFAS and other contaminants (including 6PPD-quinone, microplastics and Persistent Organic Pollutants) in surface, ground, storm and drinking water.

Surface Modified Clay Capturing PFAS: Insights into Pilot and Full-Scale Applications of FLUORO-SORB® Adsorbent 

Contamination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water has become a major topic of discussion amongst local, state, and federal regulators in order to protect public health. Sequestration of PFAS has become a major topic of interest, as regulators across the world begin implementing maximum contaminants limits in drinking water.  

PFAS selective surface modified clay adsorbent, FLUORO-SORB® Adsorbent, was developed as an alternative adsorptive media to anion exchange resins (IX) and granular activated carbon (GAC). FLUORO-SORB Adsorbent has been deployed in a wide range of applications and has shown PFAS removal efficiency with strong selectivity and high capacity through several pilots and full-scale installations. Pilot evaluations indicate that FLUORO-SORB Adsorbent has similar adsorption capacity as commercial IX and displays 3-5 times the bed-life of GAC. The selectivity of FLUORO-SORB Adsorbent supports the performance and adsorption capacity since it neglects common co-contaminants like dissolved organic matter and common salts like nitrates, and sulfates.  

This presentation will highlight several case studies at both the full and pilot scales, where FLUORO-SORB Adsorbent has been implemented with success and will discuss system designs, economic considerations, and troubleshooting. 

 
Rebecca Dickman Ph.D., Technical Services Manager, CETCO

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Session 7: Investigating, Monitoring and Remediating Contaminants in Wastewater, Sludge and Biosolids

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• Innovative and data-driven methods for investigating, risk assessing and monitoring PFAS, Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs), microplastics, recalcitrant compounds, endocrine disruptors and other contaminants in wastewater, sludge and biosolids 

• The implications of tighter controls for wastewater: 

  • How are companies managing the stricter limits on pharmaceuticals under the updated EU Environmental Quality Standards and the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, and the impact on Wastewater Treatment Plants? 

  • Discussing the impact of stricter regulatory frameworks for recalcitrant compounds in wastewater systems 

• Evolving requirements for testing PFAS and other contaminants in sludge: 

  • Global regional requirements for sampling and testing 

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Case Studies of Remediation and Treatment Approaches 

Learn novel remediation and emerging treatment approaches for contaminants in wastewater, sludge and biosolids, through practical case studies. 

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Technoeconomic Analysis of Alternatives to Biosolids Land Application

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This session will explore alternatives to biosolids land application and share case study examples.

• Need for a wholistic comparison of alternatives to inform decision making.

• Alternate options in decreasing order of technical readiness include landfilling, dewatering and incineration, thermal drying and pyrolysis, and supercritical water oxidation.

• Most have poor economy of scale, so scenarios considered for Minnesota as a case study consider either three large regional facilities or ten small regional facilities.

• Estimated costs will be presented for wholesale, statewide transition to each alternative

• Additional considerations for regional facility operation, and for individual WWTP operation in terms of anaerobic digestion, dewatering, and trucking.

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Ali Ling, PhD, PE, Assistant Professor Civil Engineering, University of St Thomas, US

​​​1:05pm BST / 8:05am ET

2:35pm BST / 9:35am ET