The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources has released data from a preliminary study examining the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soil, wastewater, and biosolids across the state. This marks the agency’s first effort to assess PFAS concentrations in biosolids statewide.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals commonly found in commercial, industrial, and consumer products. They are often called “forever chemicals” because they persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms. Wastewater treatment plants receive PFAS from various sources, including residential, commercial, and industrial activities. An estimated 3.5 million residents of North Carolina consume tap water with PFAS levels above health-based standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that will take effect in 2029; this deadline could be extended to 2031 according to federal announcements.
In 2023, staff began collecting samples for the study from 37 municipal, industrial, and domestic wastewater treatment facilities. Soil was also tested at 19 fields regulated under non-discharge permits.
Results showed that PFAS compounds were present in all types of samples collected—wastewater, biosolids, and soil. The majority of PFAS entering wastewater facilities each year is discharged into waterways rather than entering the environment through land application of biosolids. A summary of these findings is available online.
Julie Grzyb, deputy director of the DEQ Division of Water Resources said: “The study represents a first step for DEQ to begin to understand PFAS concentrations in wastewater and biosolids in our state. The study was based on a small sample size and was limited in scope, but it underscores the importance of characterizing and controlling PFAS contamination at the source.”
There are currently no federal or state regulations addressing PFAS levels in biosolids within North Carolina. The findings from this initial research will guide future studies aimed at further data collection and analysis related to these chemicals’ presence.
The Department of Environmental Quality oversees environmental matters throughout North Carolina by managing natural resources such as air and water through specialized divisions (official website). Its responsibilities include regulation over waste management as well as providing public access to environmental data and supporting local stewardship efforts (official website). The agency also focuses on science-based stewardship that supports community health across North Carolina (official website).
