PFAS Testing

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Local Water Quality: Regional Boards Have a Plan For That!

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Water is a foundational, and frequently contentious, aspect of California’s legislation and history. Laws governing water rights were some of the first laws passed after California gained statehood in 1850. By the turn of the century, California had created the first iteration of what is now the State Water Board and published the first version of the state water plan. But by the 1940s, rapid urban and industrial development led to increased concern over water quality. The next few decades oversaw the establishment of what are now California’s key water quality regulators: the Regional Water Quality Control Boards.

The modern regional boards are rooted in the 1949 Dickey Water Pollution Act, which established the first State Water Pollution Control Board and corresponding regional boards. The Act recognized that water problems throughout the state varied based on regional precipitation, climate, topography, population, and development. To address these variances, lawmakers created…

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California Pushes to Add PFAS

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Regulating PFAS, or per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, is no easy task; there are almost 5,000 compounds in the PFAS family, and each compound impacts the environment and public health differently. But as new information about this class of chemicals comes to light, California is taking action. Last month, the state focused its attention on a particularly prevalent member of the PFAS universe—perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and this month the Division of Drinking Water (DDW) established new PFBS notification and response levels. But a federal rule proposed by the EPA may also have a significant impact on current and future California PFAS policies, especially for chemicals of emerging prominence like PFBS.

Over the past few years, PFAS have been the subject of increased legislative and scientific scrutiny. First manufactured in the 1940s, PFAS are used in products that resist heat, water, oil, stains and grease. Many of these products are now integrated into everyday items; furniture, carpets, food packaging, water-proof clothes, and non-stick cookware can all contain PFAS. A significant potential source of PFAS exposure may also occur in certain sources of drinking water. PFAS may contaminate water from a variety of sources, but industrial sites, landfills, wastewater treatment plants, military bases, and airports are all suspected sources of PFAS pollution. Once PFAS enter the water system, usually via discharge or leachate, these “forever chemicals” spread and linger within…

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Peek Behind the Federal Regulatory Curtain: PFAS and Changing Policies

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PFAS are at the top of our minds and our news feeds as scientists reveal more data about the impact of polyfluoroalkyl substances on our health and our environment. Environmental groups, scientists, laboratories, and politicians across the aisle agree; it’s time to legislate these “forever chemicals.” 2020 took some steps towards regulating PFAS, especially PFOA and PFOS, which are known carcinogens and are linked to many other long-term health effects. But more work needs to be done. To help break down the federal government’s response to PFAS, here is a snapshot of recent news in the PFAS pipeline.

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

On January 1, Congress overrode President Trump’s veto and enacted H.R. 6395 (NDAA), the authorization bill that directs spending for the Department of Defense (DoD) in conjunction with the FY 21 omnibus appropriations bill.

The 2021 NDAA addresses PFAS contamination on military bases and in military equipment. Multiple provisions follow-up on the 2020 NDAA provisions, which began phasing out AFFF (Aqueous Fire Fighting Foam) after studies linked AFFF with PFAS contaminated ground and drinking water on military bases and in surrounding communities. Follow-up actions include:

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Babcock Laboratories Found a More Permanent Home in Imperial County!

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Babcock Laboratories, Inc. (Babcock Labs) is pleased to announce the relocation of our service center in Imperial County. Effective Monday, December 14th, 2020, Babcock Laboratories, Inc. will be conveniently located in El Centro and will occupy a clean, modern, and easily accessed facility on 1550 Pepper Drive. We will continue to follow our current Imperial County operating hours and sample drop off time-windows until further notice. We are pleased to have found a more permanent home in Imperial County….

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Biosolids: The Ultimate Recycling Success Story

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In the wastewater treatment world, biosolids are often seen as the ultimate recycling success story. Biosolids are the nutrient-rich organic byproducts resulting from wastewater treatment and over 60% of biosolids produced nationally in the U.S. are land applied. They are used in agriculture, landscaping, forestry, and even by homeowners on lawns and gardens. Although biosolids are under scrutiny once again due to the source of their composition—human and industrial waste—preliminary evidence suggests that the beneficial use of biosolids rests on solid ground.

To learn more about the future of biosolids, new Babcock staff member, Colleen Thompson, interviewed Greg Kester, Director of Renewable Resource Programs at the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA). Greg is the subject matter expert when it comes to emerging issues regarding all renewable energy, recycled water, biosolids, and climate change mitigation. “Biosolids have a plethora of benefits, they assist in creating healthy soils which help crop growth, they are significant mitigators of climate change, reduce irrigation use, offset the use of inorganic fertilizers, and essentially are the best example of recycling,” said Kester. In fact, many agricultural areas depend on biosolids to help…

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A Quick Year in Review:2020

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As we welcome the end of an unprecedented year and prepare to welcome 2021, we would like to reflect on some of the key industry topics of 2020 that will likely provide clues to the issues and challenges our industry is sure to experience in the New Year.