Per- & Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS, PFOA & PFOS)
‘Perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals, the most common being perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFAS are used in a wide variety of industrial and consumer products such as adhesives, cosmetics, cleaning products, and in specialized chemical applications, such as fire-fighting foams. PFAS are also used in water-, stain-, and oil-repellent coatings for fabrics and paper. (Health Canada, 2019)’
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
Public Health Ontario
Canadian Drinking Water Draft Objective
United States Environmental Protection Agency Proposed Regulation
- Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Proposed PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation *NEW*
Fact Sheets
- Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF)
- Basic Information on PFAS
- Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFAS: Fact Sheet for Communities
- Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFAS: Fact Sheet for Public Water Systems
- Environmental Fate and Transport for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
- History and Use of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
- Naming Conventions and Physical and Chemical Properties of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
- Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Canadians
- Perfluoroalkylated Substances (PFAS): North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
- Perfluorinated chemicals in water
- PFAS Fact Sheets and Excel files for download
- PFAS in Water Systems: A Canadian Perspective
- PFAS/PFOS in Drinking Water: Per- and Polyfluoroalkylated Substances
- Questions and Answers: Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFOA, PFOS, GenX Chemicals and PFBS
- Technical Fact Sheet: Drinking Water Health Advisories for Four PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, GenX chemicals, and PFBS)
- Technologies for Reducing PFAS in Drinking Water fact sheet
- Water Talk – Perfluoroalkylated substances in drinking water
Guides
- Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality: Guideline Technical Document – Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
- Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality: Guideline Technical Document – Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)
- Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS
- Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in Drinking Water
- Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) in Drinking Water
- Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) Drinking Water Health Advisory
- Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Drinking Water Health Advisory
- PFAS Explained: Meaningful and Achievable Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Risk
- PFAS Innovative Treatment Team – Research Briefs
- PFAS – Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Guidance Document
- PFAS Strategic Roadmap: EPA’s Commitments to Action 2021-2024
- Research on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
- Talking to Customers and Communities About PFAS
- Technologies for Reducing PFAS in Drinking Water
Tools
- Drinking Water Treatability Database:
- PFAS Analytic Tools *NEW*
- PFAS Data and Tools
- PFAS Thermal Treatment Database
- CompTox Chemicals Dashboard
- ChemView
PFAS Training Module Videos
- PFAS Introduction
- PFAS Naming Conventions and Physical and Chemical Properties
- PFAS Physical & Chemical Properties
- PFAS Production, Uses, Sources and Site Characterization
- PFAS Sampling and Analysis
- PFAS Treatment Technologies
- PFAS Risk Communication
- PFAS Aqueous Film-Forming Foam
- PFAS Human and Ecological Effects
- PFAS Fate and Transport
- PFAS Risk Assessment and Regulations
Press Releases
- UBC engineers find permanent solution for removing ‘forever chemicals’ from drinking water *NEW*
- European Chemicals Agency publishes PFAS restriction proposal *NEW*
- Press Releases Related to PFAS
Sampling & Analysis
- Determination of Selected Perfluorinated Alkyl Acids in Drinking Water by Solid Phase Extraction and Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)
- EPA PFAS Drinking Water Laboratory Methods
- Clean Water Act Analytical Methods for Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS)
- PFAS Analytical Methods Development and Sampling Research
- PFAS methods and guidance for sampling and analyzing water and other environmental media (Technical Brief)
Source Protection
- Aqueous film-forming foam and the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations
- Canadian Environmental Protection Act: virtual elimination
- Ecological screening assessment report on perfluorooctane sulfonate, salts and precursors
- Perfluoroalkyl substances: Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority
- Perfluorooctane sulfonate in fish and water
- Perfluorooctane sulfonate in the environment
- Persistent organic pollutants: Stockholm Convention
- Risk management strategy for perfluorooctane sulfonate and its salts and precursors
- The new POPs under the Stockholm Convention
- Understanding PFAS in the Environment
Webinars
- EPA and NEHA Webinar: PFAS Research
- Methods and Guidance for Sampling and Analyzing for PFAS in Environmental Media Webinar
- New Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFAS Chemicals
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Small Systems Webinar
More Resources
View these similar posts on the WCWC online library for more information.
Case Studies in Chemical Contamination Course Resources
Emerging Issues: Cyanobacterial Toxins, Disinfection By-Products and Pathogens Course Resources
USEPA Water Research Webinar Series
Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality
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Homeowner Information & Resources
This collection of resources provides information related to questions commonly received from private homeowners and members of the public. Information related to water testing, home treatment systems, wells, source water protection and water related emergencies can be found here.
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
Water Testing
- Well Water Testing (Private Drinking Water) – Public Health Units provide testing for the presence of the bacterial indicators of contamination, E. coli and total coliforms in private drinking water systems.
- Public Health Units – Find your local Public Health Unit in this directory for information on local water testing programs.
- Testing Your Water – A video demonstrating how to collect a water sample for the Public Health Unit’s bacterial indicator testing program.
- List of Licensed Labs – A directory of labs licensed to test drinking water in the province of Ontario if you would like to pay for private testing.
- Drinking Water Quality – Indicator Bacteria (Total Coliforms and E. Coli) – A fact sheet describing the Public Health Unit’s test for bacterial indicators of contamination.
- How Do I Get My Drinking Water Tested? – A fact sheet made by the Walkerton Clean Water Centre summarizing how a homeowner can go about testing their water.
- Instructions for well owners who have e. coli and total coliforms in their well sample results – Public Health guidance for unacceptable test results.
- Testing and Treating Private Water Wells – A Government of Ontario guide for private well owners.
- Well Aware booklet – Guides you through the life cycle of a well, how to maintain your well, and shows you how your well affects water quality.
- Well Water Contaminants of Concern – Information on common groundwater contaminants from Wellowner.org.
Home Water Treatment
- A Guide to Drinking Water Treatment Technologies for Household Use – A fact sheet produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the effectiveness of point-of-use or point-of-entry drinking water treatment technologies for household use against different contaminants.
- A Guide to Water Filters – This guide was produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for filtering tap water (previously treated water).
- Choosing Home Water Filters & Other Water Treatment Systems – This guide was produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Contaminant Reduction Claims Guide – This guide was produced by NSF International who certifies purification systems designed to reduce contaminants. This directory shows which systems they have certified to reduce lead, arsenic, bacteria, cysts, viruses, chlorine, chloramine, chromium, fluoride, nitrate/nitrite, PFOA/PFOS, trihalomethanes and volatile organic compounds.
- Do I Need to Use Certified Products or Materials for my Drinking Water? – A Walkerton Clean Water Centre fact sheet providing information on how to select plumbing products and treatment systems for your drinking water at home.
- Drinking Water Safety – Cisterns – A fact sheet produced by Haldimand and Norfolk Health and Social Services about maintaining, cleaning and disinfecting a cistern.
- Drinking Water Treatability Database – Presents referenced information on the control of contaminants in drinking water. After selecting ‘Find a Contaminant’ you will find a ‘Treatment Processes’ tab that lists the treatment processes with literature on the log or percent removal, water quality conditions and operational parameters references in the ‘Data’ tab.
- Hard Water at Home – A homeowner’s guide to hard water and similar issues produced by a real estate company.
- Home Water Treatment System Selection – A guide for selecting a home water treatment system produced by NSF International.
- Rainwater Collection – Tips and information for homeowners interested in collecting rainwater to conserve resources by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Ultimate Guide to Well Water Treatment – A guide to understanding well water and possible methods of treatment written by a plumber.
Plumbing
- Flushing Your Home: How to Flush an Entire House Plumbing System– A step-by-step guide produced by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to flush the plumbing in your home.
- How Much Water Does a Leaky Toilet Waste? – A video experiment showing you how much water is wasted by a leaky toilet in your home.
- How to Drain Your Water Heater – Step-by-step instructions produced by the District of Columbia for draining your water heater.
- How to Find Your Water Shut Off Valve – This video demonstrates how to locate and operate your water shut off valve to prevent further water damage during an emergency.
- How to Fix a Bathtub Faucet with EPCOR’s Blue Bucket Crew – Step-by-step video instructions to replace a leaky cartridge in a bathtub faucet.
- How to Fix a Double-Stem Faucet with EPCOR’s Blue Bucket Crew – Step-by-step video instructions to fix a leaky double-stem faucet.
- How to Fix a Leaky Toilet with EPCOR’s Blue Bucket Crew – Step-by-step video instructions to fix a leaky toilet.
- How to Fix a Single-Stem Faucet with EPCOR’s Blue Bucket Crew – Step-by-step video instructions to fix a leaky single-stem faucet.
- How to flush your own (drinking water) pipes at home – A video made by the Green Bay Utility demonstrating how to flush all the plumbing in a typical home.
- How to Identify Lead Free Certification Marks for Drinking Water System and Plumbing Products – A fact sheet produced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for sourcing lead free certified products to be used for drinking water systems.
- How to Prevent Your Pipes from Freezing – A video demonstrating how to prevent frozen water lines to keep the water flowing in your home.
- Do I Need to Use Certified Products or Materials for my Drinking Water? – A Walkerton Clean Water Centre fact sheet providing information on how to select plumbing products and treatment systems for your drinking water at home.
- How to Install a Water Softener– A video produced by US Water Systems providing general directions for installing a water softener.
Water Meters
- How to Read Your Water Meter: Automated Model – A video demonstrating how to read your automated water meter.
- How to Read Your Water Meter: Dial Model (Manual)– A video demonstrating how to read your manual dial-type water meter.
Wells
View these other posts on the WCWC online library for more information.
- Private Wells
- Well Aware and Well Wise Program Resources for Homeowners
- Wells Help Desk and Well Records in Ontario
- Well Construction and Licensing
Source Water Protection
View this post on the WCWC online library for more information.
Emergency Disinfection
- Chlorine Dilution Calculator
- Disinfecting Wells After a Disaster
- Well Disinfection Tool
- What to do After the Flood
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WCWC Pilot Testing Resources
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre’s pilot testing service gives operators the opportunity to obtain site specific information on different treatment options for addressing water quality challenges. We have a wide array of equipment housed in our Technology Demonstration Facility that can be customized in our facility or at your remote location.
Contact a member of our Research and Technology team today to discuss how we can help you at inquiry@wcwc.ca.
Resources produced from past pilot testing projects can be found below.
Project Reports
- A Large Municipal Residential Drinking Water System Hybrid Coagulation/Flocculation followed by Direct Filtration Jar Test Study *NEW*
- A study to investigate alternative secondary disinfection methods and disinfection by-product formation in the community’s drinking water supply
- A study to monitor and reduce disinfection by-products in a First Nation’s drinking water supply
- A study to reduce disinfection by-products in a First Nation community’s drinking water supply
- Bench-Scale Testing to Assess the Efficacy of Adding GAC for the Reduction of Disinfection By-Products *NEW*
- Chloride Sulfate Mass Ratio Bench-Scale Testing
- Chlorine Demand/Decay and Simulated Distribution System Disinfection By-Product Testing for a Large Municipal Residential System in Ontario
- Chlorine Demand Testing for the Palgrave-Caledon East Drinking Water System *NEW*
- Coagulant Review Bench-Scale Testing
- Colgan Drinking Water System Bench-Scale Study
- Conventional and Dissolved Air Flotation Jar Testing
- Conventional Treatment Optimization for Big Grassy First Nation
- Decentralized Pilot Testing for Wauzhushk Onigum Nation
- Effect of Chlorine Detention Times on Disinfection By-Products
- Effect of Fixed Bed Ion Exchange Process in Addition to Enhanced Coagulation on the Reduction of High Levels of Organics
- Evaluation of Greensand Filtration Operation for the Reduction of Manganese
- Exploring Iron Reduction Options for a Groundwater Source
- Optimization of Conventional Treatment Processes for Residual Aluminum Control
- Optimizing Coagulant Doses by Jar Tests
- Optimizing Regeneration Process of Greensand Filtration to Reduce Disinfection By-Products
- Options for the Reduction of Arsenic from a Groundwater Source
- Options for the Removal of Arsenic from the Island Lake Drinking Water System *NEW*
- Reducing Arsenic in the Shakespeare Drinking Water System
- Reducing Disinfection By-Product Precursors to Control Trihalomethanes in a Large Municipal Residential Drinking Water System
- Reducing natural organic matter and disinfection by-products in drinking water *NEW*
- Reduction of Arsenic in a Small Drinking Water System
- Reduction of iron and hydrogen sulfide from a well system using oxidation and filtration
- Reduction of Iron and Manganese Using Conventional Treatment and Greensand Filtration
- Sampling and analysis of potential surface water sources using conventional jar testing methods for Wahta Mohawk First Nation
- Small Systems Technology Assessment for Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxin Removal
- Taste and Odour Control Strategies with Advanced Oxidation Processes and Granular Activated Carbon
- The effects of increasing the water reservoir size on disinfection by-product formation in a Lake Superior, slow sand water treatment system *NEW*
- Ultrafiltration and Granular Activated Carbon Pilot Testing with the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation
- Water Quality Testing and Chlorine Demand Testing of a Decentralized Drinking Water System *NEW*
To view presentations that have been delivered at conferences highlighting some of these projects, visit our Pilot Testing Presentations post.
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water or view these similar posts.
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Asbestos-Cement Pipes and Drinking Water
Between the 1940’s and 1970’s, cement containing asbestos was used for water distribution pipes (known as A-C pipe). A-C pipe has not been installed in municipal water systems for over 50 years and it is a generally accepted practice that A-C pipe be removed and replaced during any construction that exposes these pipes that remain in the ground.
The following links provide information on asbestos in drinking water including potential methods of exposure, health risks and treatment information.
For Members of the Public:
- Asbestos in drinking water
- Is the Asbestos in Our Drinking Water Dangerous?
- Asbestos in Drinking Water: The Danger of Old Asbestos Pipes and Natural Disasters
- Asbestos in the Water Supply
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (United States) – ToxFAQs™ for Asbestos
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (United States) – Public Health Statement for Asbestos
Water Quality Guidelines
- Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality: Guideline Technical Document – Asbestos
- World Health Organization – Asbestos in drinking-water
- United States Environmental Protection Agency – National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
For Operators, Management, Council Members and Communications Teams:
- Canadian Water and Wastewater Association Speaking Notes on Asbestos-Cement Water Pipes
- Trending in an Instant – A Risk Communication Guide for Water Utilities
Photo from Canadian Water and Wastewater Association Speaking Notes on Asbestos-Cement Water Pipes.
View these similar posts on the WCWC online library for more information.
Health Canada Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality
Per- & Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS, PFOA & PFOS)
Legionella & Legionnaires’ Disease (Legionellosis)
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Natural Organic Matter and Disinfection By-Products
The following links provide information on natural organic matter (NOM) and the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs) when a chlorine-based disinfectant is introduced in drinking water. Information on treatment strategies to reduce both NOM and DBPs are included in this post.
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
Abstracts & Articles
- Advanced Water Treatment Strategies for the Removal of Natural and Synthetic Organic Contaminants
- Chlorination Disinfection By-Products in Drinking Water
- Control and Prevention of Disinfection By-Product Formation Through Source Water Monitoring Using Photoelectrochemical Oxygen Demand (peCOD)
- Control Of Chlorinated Disinfection By-Products (DBPs): Pilot Testing Experiences In Two Ontario First Nations Communities
- Drivers of Disinfection Byproduct Cytotoxicity in U.S. Drinking Water: Should Other DBPs Be Considered for Regulation?
- Formation and removal of ozonation by-products in drinking water biofilters
- Trihalomethanes: Concentrations, Cancer Risks, and Regulations
Fact Sheets & Technical Bulletins
- Disinfection Byproducts
- Organic Removal
- Trihalomethane and haloacetic acid sampling and reporting requirements technical bulletin
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) & Groundwater
- Water Treatment and Disinfection By-Product Formation
Guides
Pilot Testing Project Reports
- Conventional and Dissolved Air Flotation Jar Testing
- Conventional Treatment Optimization for Big Grassy First Nation
- Decentralized Pilot Testing for Wauzhushk Onigum Nation
- Effect of Fixed Bed Ion Exchange Process in Addition to Enhanced Coagulation on the Reduction of High Levels of Organics
- Optimization of Conventional Treatment Processes for Residual Aluminum Control
- Reduction of Iron and Manganese Using Conventional Treatment and Greensand Filtration
- Taste and Odour Control Strategies with Advanced Oxidation Processes and Granular Activated Carbon for the Tay Area Water Treatment Plant
- Ultrafiltration and Granular Activated Carbon Pilot Testing with the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation
Pilot Testing Project Summaries
- Conventional and Dissolved Air Flotation Jar Testing
- Conventional Treatment Optimization for Big Grassy First Nation
- Decentralized Pilot Testing for Wauzhushk Onigum Nation
- Pilot Testing with Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation
- Pilot Testing with Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation
- Pilot Testing with the Township of Tay to Reduce Taste and Odour
Presentations
- Assessing Post-Treatment Aeration Variables to Reduce Disinfection Byproducts(THMs) for Small Systems
- Minimizing DBPs With Multiple Disinfectant Barriers to Achieve Multiple Objectives
- Pilot Testing of Selected Technologies for the Removal of Natural Organic Matter for A First Nation Water Treatment Plant
- Pilot Testing Services and a Case Study to Reduce Organics
- Reducing Disinfection By-Products in Small Drinking Water Systems
- Using Fixed Bed Ion Exchange Process to Enhance the Reduction of Organics
Testing
- How-to filter a drinking water sample
- How-to analyze true and apparent colour of a drinking water sample
- How-to analyze UV absorbance and transmittance in a drinking water sample
- How-to analyze total and dissolved organic carbon (TOC/DOC)
Webinars
- Advances in PAC Adsorption for DBP Precursor and Micropollutant Removal
- Localized Treatment for Disinfection By-Products
- Reducing Volatile DBPs in Treated Drinking Water Using Aeration Technologies
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water or view these similar posts.
Natural Organic Matter in Drinking Water Course Resources
List of Laboratories Licensed to Perform Drinking Water Testing in Ontario
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Iron and Manganese Removal/Control Strategies Course Resources
This post provides resources for WCWC’s Iron and Manganese Removal/Control Strategies course.
Videos
- Swabbing and pigging
- How-to analyze iron in a drinking water sample
- How-to analyze manganese in a drinking water sample
Visit our course catalog to view all our training courses and the upcoming schedule or select the course overview below to learn more about this course.
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
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Read MoreEntry-Level Course for Drinking Water Operators Course Resources
This post provides resources for WCWC’s Entry-Level Course for Drinking Water Operators (ELCDWO).
Supporting Documents
Videos
Visit our course catalog to view all our training courses and the upcoming schedule or select the course overview below to learn more about this course.
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
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Read MoreSmall System Fundamentals Course Resources
This post provides resources for WCWC’s Small System Fundamentals course.
- Notice of Adverse Test Results and Issue Resolution (Schedule 16)
- WCWC Fact Sheet: Absolute vs. Nominal Filter Ratings
Videos
Visit our course catalog to view all our training courses and the upcoming schedule or select the course overview below to learn more about this course.
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
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Read MoreOperation of Small Drinking Water Systems Course Resources
This post provides resources for WCWC’s Operation of Small Drinking Water Systems course.
Supporting Documents
Visit our course catalog to view all our training courses and the upcoming schedule or select the course overview below to learn more about this course.
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
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Read MoreBasics for Small Drinking Water Systems (O. Reg. 319) Course Resources
This post provides resources for WCWC’s Basics for Small Drinking Water Systems (O. Reg. 319) course.
Supporting Documents
- WCWC fact sheet: Absolute vs. nominal filter ratings
- Responding to Adverse Events Fact Sheet
- Sample Directive
- Sample Log Book Sheet
Videos
Visit our course catalog to view all our training courses and the upcoming schedule or select the course overview below to learn more about this course.
Basics for Small Drinking Water Systems (O.Reg. 319/08) – CEU: 0.7
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