Water agencies in Florida and across the United States are navigating a complex, rapidly evolving regulatory environment, and costly mitigation mandates surrounding per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
While only two compounds — PFOS and PFOA — currently have federal maximum contaminant levels that the EPA announced would not be rescinded, many additional PFAS chemicals are under evaluation, and future regulations may expand significantly. This uncertainty leaves utilities weighing how quickly to respond and how to plan for additional PFAS standards that will likely become more stringent over time.
Florida water utilities exemplify these challenges. As noted in Jim Waymer’s recent story in FLORIDA TODAY about PFAS levels in Brevard County’s water sources, the state’s recent adoption of EPA drinking water standards has drawn attention to PFAS levels in local water supplies, highlighting the need for treatment solutions that are both effective today and adaptable in the future.
At the same time, funding remains a major obstacle. Although more than $14 billion has been allocated nationwide through legal settlements with chemical manufacturers, not every community will have access to these resources, and utilities will need to make substantial investments that ultimately fall on ratepayers if the polluters are not identified and made to pay.
Given the uncertainty around future regulatory requirements — and the high cost of designing, constructing, and operating new treatment systems — some agencies have been cautious about moving too quickly. This is understandable, considering that many water systems in the U.S. tested in early 2024 exceeded the new federal EPA standards despite having previously met state health advisories, underscoring how quickly thresholds can change and how expensive premature upgrades can be.
Cautious approach
Florida’s cautious approach — waiting for federal guidance rather than adopting early, aggressive standards — helped the state avoid challenges seen in other regions, where systems became outdated shortly after installation. Now, with nearly all water supplies sampled and many showing measurable PFOA, PFOS and other PFAS, Florida utilities are in a position where action is needed. Population growth adds further pressure, potentially expanding the number of affected water sources.
To manage these risks, utilities are encouraged to adopt scenario planning and consider approaches such as source blending and modular system designs, that can allow flexibility to be built into the design from the beginning. Such approaches allow agencies to account for multiple regulatory outcomes and avoid repeated retrofits as standards evolve. Scenario‑based decision frameworks that consider cost, probability, and potential impact can help utilities identify practical, durable solutions.
Meeting these challenges will require a balanced and informed strategy. Near‑term compliance should consider cost‑effective treatment options while also staying attentive to potential changes in maximum contaminant levels and newly regulated PFAS compounds. Many communities will need to refresh their capital improvement plans to include PFAS considerations. Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), a well‑established technology used nationwide, remains a reliable and comparatively cost‑effective treatment option, though other technologies exist at higher cost. System designs should be modular and expandable to minimize the need for future retrofits.
Contamination concerns
At the same time, treatment is not the only viable strategy. Blending water from different wells or depths may reduce PFAS concentrations at significantly lower cost. In some situations, shifting to deeper aquifers or incorporating additional wells into a blending strategy may be more economical than installing new treatment systems.
Utilities should also evaluate PFAS sources in their service areas for cost recovery. While airports and fire‑training facilities are often assumed to be primary contributors, other sources — including landfills, biosolids application sites, septic systems, and certain industrial operations — may also play a role. Understanding where these potential sources exist, and how they relate to local aquifers, can help communities better assess risk and develop targeted mitigation strategies.
PFAS contamination presents real concerns for communities, but effective planning, collaboration, alternatives analysis, and flexible system design can help water agencies meet both current and future challenges without placing undue burden on ratepayers. By approaching the issue carefully and proactively, utilities can build resilient strategies that protect public health while responsibly managing long‑term costs.
Bob Cipolletti, Senior Vice President and Geologist for WSP, a global engineering firm
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Florida’s PFAS crisis is about to hit water bills hard
Reporting by Bob Cipolletti, Guest columnist / Florida Today
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