The Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (“ASDWA”) has issued a document titled:
Working with Communities on Decisions for Innovative Treatment Technologies (“Guide”).
The Guide was developed in partnership with the Rural Community Assistance Partnership.
The authors of the Guide include:
- Lena Schlichting
- Laura Landes
The stated purpose of the Guide is to assist technical assistance providers, small communities, and stakeholders make local decisions on non-treatment and treatment alternatives for what are described as “emerging” contaminants. Such contaminants include PFAS.
The Guide addresses:
- Questions to evaluate when considering a new treatment technology.
- Guidance through the decision process.
- The role of technical assistance providers.
- Challenges when working with innovative treatment technologies.
Drinking water challenges that can potentially be addressed by innovative drinking water treatment technologies are stated to include:
- Contamination and emerging contaminants.
- Aging infrastructure.
- Water scarcity.
In terms of innovative drinking water treatment technologies, the Guide notes:
…Innovations in drinking water treatment cover a variety of new and cutting-edge technologies. However, some treatment techniques that are already be considered the best available treatment technologies and are commonly implemented in large water systems may still be new and challenging to deploy in a small water system. Hence, this guide considers treatment technologies that are more complex than the current treatment in use by a specific water system to be “innovative” and aims to provide help through the decision-making process, regardless of the specific technology.
…With upcoming regulations for PFAS, innovative treatment technologies will become even more relevant for small water systems. This guide is applicable to various drinking water challenges, but PFAS-related content is highlighted and the appendix provides more information on PFAS-specific resources.
ASDWA describes its members as the drinking water program administrators in the 50 states, 5 territories, the Navaho Nation, and the District of Columbia.
A link to the Guide and an Interactive Story Map can be found here.
The Between the Lines blog is made available by Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C. and the law firm publisher. The blog site is for educational purposes only, as well as to give general information and a general understanding of the law. This blog is not intended to provide specific legal advice. Use of this blog site does not create an attorney client relationship between you and Mitchell Williams or the blog site publisher. The Between the Lines blog site should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.